South Suffolk, VA to Radford, VA is 273 miles and takes about 5h 57m via I 81 and US 460, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region towards the western part of the state. The route is a mix of highway and surface roads, offering a varied driving experience. It's a manageable drive, perfect for a single day if you get an early start.
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
136.5 miles from South Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
44.8 mi
51m
Richmond Highway
31.1 mi
38m
US 460
30 mi
36m
New Cox Road
23 mi
26m
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
16 mi
20m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi
18m
General Mahone Highway
14.3 mi
19m
West Colonial Trail Highway
13.1 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 44.8 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,359 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,674
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Radford, 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
6.2 mi·10 min·Pruden Boulevard
4
Continue on US 460
9.9 mi·15 min·Windsor Boulevard
5
Continue on US 460
8.4 mi·11 min·General Mahone Boulevard
6
Continue on US 460
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mahone Highway
7
Continue on US 460
2.0 mi·2 min·General Mahone Highway
8
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·2 min·South County Drive
9
Continue on US 460
6.2 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
10
Continue on US 460
1.4 mi·2 min·South County Drive
11
Continue on US 460
6.1 mi·8 min·General Mahone Highway
12
Continue on US 460
9.5 mi·14 min·County Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi·3 min·Rives Road
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North
15
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi·4 min·I 95
16
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, BlackstoneUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi·7 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
18
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 460
Exit 61Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, LynchburgUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Street
20
Continue on US 460
23 mi·26 min·New Cox Road
21
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
22
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi·7 min·East Colonial Trail Road
23
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi·11 min·East Colonial Trail
24
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi·14 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
31 mi·38 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
28
Continue on US 460
16 mi·20 min·East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi·18 min·West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
30
Continue on US 221; US 460
5.5 mi·7 min·Blue Ridge Boulevard
31
Continue on US 221; US 460
0.3 mi·32 sec·Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto US 220 Alt
5.0 mi·6 min·Cloverdale Road
33
Continue on US 220
0.2 mi·13 sec·Roanoke Road
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
35
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·51 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward VA 232, SR 605: Radford
37
Turn right onto VA 232
283 ft·4 sec·1st Street
38
Continue on VA 232
3.4 mi·6 min·West Main Street
39
Turn right onto Berkley Street
444 ft·19 sec·Berkley Street
40
Arrive at destination
Berkley Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 57m drive, consider leaving South Suffolk early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic. With a total distance of 273 miles, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $42, and refueling options might be less frequent on the surface road portions. The single day duration means you have flexibility in your timing.
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 136.5 miles from South Suffolk, VA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 60 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Radford, 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 273 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 81 for about 44.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.8 and 224.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|SR 630 / Rives Road
Turn left onto SR 630 / Rives Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
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 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
5
151.6 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 460 / Richmond Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 / Richmond Highway toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
5
224.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.31 one way
$80.61 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$44.29
$88.59
premium
$4.49
$48.28
$96.56
diesel
$4.80
$51.55
$103.10
Estimated Tolls: $2.56
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(16 mi)$1.12
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)$1.02
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(6 mi)$0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.9
1
$28.67
$13.10
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.89
$10.92
EV Truck/SUV
109.2
1
$38.22
$17.47
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
South Suffolk, VA
Morning
in South Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Patchy Smoke
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Radford, VA
Morning
in Radford on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Patchy Smoke then Patchy Fog
SW 1 mph4% 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
5 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
5h 57m 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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 65.9
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 150.6
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 216.6
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 28.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 42% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time cruising. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 44.8 miles on I 81. Expect a transition from highway speeds to surface roads, likely noticeable as you approach more populated areas or as you get closer to your destination. This profile suggests a blend of faster travel and more local cruising.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on I 81.
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 53.8 miles in near SR 630 / Rives Road.
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 16 significant decision points across 273 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 53.8 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,860 ft25 ft
Total Climb
1,859 ft
Total Descent
53 ft
Highest Point
1,860 ft
~273 mi in
Elevation Range
1,835 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Suffolk, VA and Radford, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 273 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.56 in tolls one way, starting with East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Radford, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.8 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Radford, VA before the return drive.
