South Suffolk, VA to Purcellville, VA is 223.1 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 95, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Benns Church Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region of Virginia to another part of the Southeast, staying within the same state. With a mix of highway and surface roads, it's a trip that offers variety without being overly challenging for a single day. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the major interstates.
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
111.5 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66 mi
1h 13m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
26.3 mi
28m
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Dumfries Road
14.2 mi
20m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
James Monroe Highway
10.4 mi
14m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,853
Quietest
2 AM
~490 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Purcellville, 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 left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
19
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·21 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
21
Continue on VA 234
14 mi·20 min·Dumfries Road
22
Continue on VA 234
7.8 mi·10 min·Prince William Parkway
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 66 West: Front RoyalUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·2 min·this road
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
25
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi·3 min·I 66
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 40Toward US 15: Haymarket, LeesburgUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
255 ft·6 sec
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote BoulevardUse the right lane.
28
Turn right onto US 15
8.0 mi·11 min·James Madison Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 15
2.3 mi·3 min·James Monroe Highway
30
Enter roundabout onto US 15
115 ft·1 sec·James Monroe Highway
31
Continue on US 15
0.3 mi·38 sec·James Monroe Highway
32
Enter roundabout onto US 15
181 ft·2 sec·James Monroe Highway
33
Continue on US 15
7.8 mi·10 min·James Monroe Highway
34
Turn left onto SR 704
5.5 mi·9 min·Harmony Church Road
35
At end of road, turn left onto VA 7 BUS
2.1 mi·4 min·East Colonial Highway
36
Enter roundabout onto VA 7 BUS
67 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
37
Continue on VA 7 BUS
1.2 mi·3 min·East Main Street
38
Arrive at destination
VA 7 BUS
Trip Plan
For this 4h 44m drive, consider leaving early to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially if you plan to stop. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your pacing. The route has one recommended stop, which could be a good point to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you move from the main highways onto Benns Church Boulevard, as services might be less frequent on those sections.
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 111.5 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 49 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Purcellville, 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 223.1 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 66 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 99.5 and 195.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward VA 234 North: Manassas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 152B
Toward VA 234 North: Manassas
7
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 66 West: Front Royal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 66 West: Front Royal
8
195.6 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
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 40
Toward US 15: Haymarket, Leesburg
9
195.8 mi into trip|~4h in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcote Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 15 North, SR 2502: Leesburg, Heathcot...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.49 one way
$70.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$38.69
$77.38
premium
$4.78
$41.98
$83.95
diesel
$5.35
$46.99
$93.98
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: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.9
0
$23.43
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.52
$8.92
EV Truck/SUV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Afternoon
in South Suffolk on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Purcellville, VA
Afternoon
in Purcellville on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers
E 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
7 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 44m 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.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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!
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 215.4
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
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
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 30.8
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 223.1
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
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 15.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 35% of this 223.1-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous highway stretch being 66 miles on I 95. You'll experience a mixed highway and surface road profile throughout the 4h 44m trip. Expect to transition from faster-paced interstate driving to more local roads as you approach your destination, which can mean more frequent intersections and varied speed limits.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.5 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 223.1 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 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
559 ft49 ft
Total Climb
769 ft
Total Descent
264 ft
Highest Point
559 ft
~223.1 mi in
Elevation Range
510 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from South Suffolk, VA to Purcellville, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Leesburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 223.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Purcellville, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Colonial National Historical Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Purcellville, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
