South Suffolk, VA to Front Royal, VA is 216.5 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 95 and Warrenton Road, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route offers a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day drive. It's a practical option if you're looking for a straightforward drive without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.2 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
47.3 mi
51m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
26.3 mi
28m
Warrenton Road
22.9 mi
33m
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi
21m
US 17
15.1 mi
16m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
James Madison Highway
11.3 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 47.3 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,693 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,379
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Suffolk, VA and Front Royal, VA.
1
Start on US 13 BUS; VA 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Carolina Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·8 sec·Pruden Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi·10 min·Godwin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
16 mi·21 min·Benns Church Boulevard
6
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
7
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
8
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
9
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
10
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi·4 min·East Randolph Road
11
Continue on VA 10
2.5 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 295 North: Washington
13
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·46 sec·this road
Toward I 295 North: Washington
14
Merge onto I 295
26 mi·28 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 17 Business: Falmouth
19
Turn left onto US 17
23 mi·33 min·Warrenton Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Marsh Road
21
Turn right onto US 15; US 29
4.6 mi·6 min·James Madison Highway
22
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 North
24
Continue on US 17
6.7 mi·9 min·James Madison Highway
25
Continue on US 17
2.7 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
26
Turn left onto US 17
15 mi·16 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 13Toward VA 79: Linden, Front RoyalUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto VA 79
0.2 mi·24 sec·Apple Mountain Road
29
Turn right onto VA 55
4.7 mi·7 min·John Marshall Highway
30
Turn slight right
283 ft·10 sec
31
Turn straight onto US 522
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Commerce Avenue
32
Turn left onto East Stonewall Drive
506 ft·15 sec·East Stonewall Drive
33
Turn slight right onto East Jackson Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Jackson Street
34
Turn right onto US 340; VA 55
411 ft·20 sec·South Royal Avenue
35
Turn left onto West Main Street
260 ft·13 sec·West Main Street
36
Turn left
30 ft·2 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under five hours, this route is well-suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since the majority of the route is on surface roads. There's one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $34, and plan accordingly for potential price variations. Driving this route on a weekday might offer smoother traffic flow compared to a weekend.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108.2 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 48 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Front Royal, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Suffolk, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 216.5 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from South Suffolk, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 210.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~7m in|Godwin Boulevard
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
99.5 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
5
101.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
195.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|US 17
Turn left onto US 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
210.4 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward VA 79: Linden, Front Royal
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.13 one way
$70.25 round trip
$4.12/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.33
$78.66
premium
$5.00
$42.59
$85.19
diesel
$6.21
$52.92
$105.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.31
$13.86
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Morning
in South Suffolk on Saturday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Front Royal, VA
Morning
in Front Royal on Saturday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 33m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 216.5
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$15
near mile 29.9
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 67.2
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 14.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 194.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 29% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 95 being 47.3 miles. The bulk of this trip, around 71%, will be on surface roads, including Warrenton Road. Expect a gradual transition from faster highway speeds to more local road cruising as you get closer to your destination. You'll notice a change in traffic patterns and exit frequency as you move from interstate driving to surface streets.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near Godwin Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 216.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 216.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Front Royal, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Front Royal, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
