Origin
Suffolk, VA
Night in Suffolk on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Suffolk, VA to Big Stone Gap, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 49m
Distance
416.2 mi
670 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 42m
★
6 AM
8h 50m
8 AM
9h 6m
10 AM
8h 55m
12 PM
8h 54m
3 PM
8h 56m
5 PM
9h 5m
8 PM
8h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Suffolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Big Stone Gap, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 416.2 miles from the flat coastal landscape of Southeast Virginia to the mountainous terrain of Big Stone Gap, this trek is a significant cross-state journey. You should plan for approximately 8 hours and 49 minutes of pure driving time, making it a demanding haul for a single day. Because of the turn-heavy local roads, we strongly recommend splitting this trip over two days to keep your focus sharp and your stress levels low. Expect to budget around $67 for fuel as you traverse the state. While it is technically possible to push through in one go, breaking the journey allows you to better manage the transition from the coast to the interior.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.1 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 131.7 mi | 2h 24m |
| Richmond Highway | 31.1 mi | 38m |
| US 460 | 30 mi | 36m |
| New Cox Road | 23 mi | 26m |
| East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike | 16 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 58 | 14.7 mi | 20m |
| West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| General Mahone Highway | 14.3 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 131.7 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffolk, VA and Big Stone Gap, VA.
1
Start on South Saratoga Street
165 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Saratoga Street
2
Turn left onto VA 337
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto US 58 BUS
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Constance Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto SR 604
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Pitchkettle Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto SR 634
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Kings Fork Road
6
Turn left onto Providence Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Providence Road
7
Turn left onto US 460
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Pruden Boulevard
8
Continue on US 460
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
Windsor Boulevard
9
Continue on US 460
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
General Mahone Boulevard
10
Continue on US 460
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Mahone Highway
11
Continue on US 460
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
General Mahone Highway
12
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South County Drive
13
Continue on US 460
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
General Mahone Highway
14
Continue on US 460
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South County Drive
15
Continue on US 460
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
General Mahone Highway
16
Continue on US 460
9.5 mi
·
14 min
·
County Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Rives Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 95 North
19
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95
20
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Use the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
22
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 460
Exit 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Street
24
Continue on US 460
23 mi
·
26 min
·
New Cox Road
25
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East Colonial Trail Highway
26
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Colonial Trail Road
27
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
East Colonial Trail
28
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colonial Trail Highway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Colonial Trail Highway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi
·
34 min
·
US 460
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
31 mi
·
38 min
·
Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
32
Continue on US 460
16 mi
·
20 min
·
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi
·
18 min
·
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
34
Continue on US 221; US 460
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Blue Ridge Boulevard
35
Continue on US 221; US 460
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto US 220 Alt
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Cloverdale Road
37
Continue on US 220
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Roanoke Road
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
39
Merge onto I 81
76 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77; I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
42
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 58 ALT
Toward US 58 Alternate, VA 75: Abingdon, South Holston Dam
43
Turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Cummings Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Valley Street Northwest
Use the left lane.
45
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Russell Road Northwest
Use the right lane.
46
Turn slight right onto US 19; US 58 ALT
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Porterfield Highway
47
Continue on US 19; US 58 ALT
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 19; US 58 ALT
48
Turn left onto US 58 ALT
15 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 58
Use the left lane.
49
Continue on US 58 ALT
348 ft
·
6 sec
·
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
50
Continue on US 58 ALT
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Castlewood Drive
51
Continue on US 58 ALT
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Norton Coeburn Road
52
Take the exit onto US 58 ALT
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 58 ALT
Toward VA 23 South, VA 58 West Alternate
53
Merge onto US 23; US 58 ALT
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Orby Cantrell Highway
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward SR 610: Big Stone Gap
55
Turn right onto SR 610
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Powell Valley Road
56
Enter roundabout onto SR 610
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
Powell Valley Road
57
Continue on SR 610
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Powell Valley Road
58
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
4th Avenue East
59
Arrive at destination
SR 610
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour and 49-minute duration, departing early in the morning is essential to avoid navigating unfamiliar turns after dark. Plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and reset, as the local road navigation can be mentally fatiguing. Since the route is comprised entirely of local roads, keep your GPS updated and watch for changing speed limits as you pass through various jurisdictions. If you decide to split the trip into two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to ensure a balanced drive. Prioritize fuel efficiency and steady pacing, as the frequent turns and local traffic patterns will impact your overall travel time.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.1 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.1 miles or 4h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 208.1 miles or 4h 35m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Stone Gap, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Suffolk, VA
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Big Stone Gap, VA
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Suffolk, VA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 131.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
208 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Roanoke, VAOvernight Options
Night 1
208 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Roanoke, VA after about 208 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.1 miles from Suffolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 208 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 357.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 58 BUS / West Constance Road
Turn right onto US 58 BUS / West Constance Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
53.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
SR 630 / Rives Road
Turn left onto SR 630 / Rives Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
7
357.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 25m in
|
Valley Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.08 one way
$130.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $71.16 | $142.33 |
| premium | $4.70 | $77.03 | $154.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $91.89 | $183.78 |
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
$65
Tolls
$3
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 124.9 | 1 | $43.70 | $19.98 |
| Efficient EV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.42 | $16.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166.5 | 2 | $58.27 | $26.64 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Big Stone Gap, VA
Night in Big Stone Gap on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
21 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
8h 49m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 157.9
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 57.4
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 215.3
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 28.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Forget about smooth, high-speed interstate cruising; this route relies entirely on local roads like West Washington Street, West Constance Road, and Pitchkettle Road. With a 0% highway share, you are in for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by constant navigation rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open pavement. You will find that the lack of major highways changes the pace of your travel, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. Expect a technical, hands-on driving experience that contrasts sharply with the efficiency of typical interstate travel.
Only 53% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.7 mi on I 81.
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 0.9 miles in near US 58 BUS / West Constance Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 30 significant decision points across 416.2 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 0.9 miles (US 58 BUS / West Constance Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.3 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.2 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
2,203 ft
50 ft
Total Climb
2,191 ft
Total Descent
703 ft
Highest Point
2,203 ft
~297.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,153 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Suffolk, VA and Big Stone Gap, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone, Lynchburg and Holston Dam.
Blackstone
59.2 mi in
|
~1h 30m
|
via US 460
Lynchburg
65.8 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via US 460
Holston Dam
356.8 mi in
|
~7h 23m
|
via US 58 ALT
About the Cities
Starting in Suffolk, VA
Full guide →Suffolk is a city in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 208 miles on day one.
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.
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 Big Stone Gap, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 58 BUS / West Constance Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.3 miles (SR 630 / Rives Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.2 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield 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 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Stone Gap, VA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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