Traveling from Suffolk to Bristow covers 184.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 47 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a manageable one-day trip. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of Virginia, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed during the drive. It is a straightforward route that functions well for those looking to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.4 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m 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
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Bristow Road
9.2 mi
15m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffolk, VA and Bristow, VA.
1
Start on South Saratoga Street
165 ft·10 sec·South Saratoga Street
2
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·16 sec·West Washington Street
3
Turn left onto US 13 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·8 sec·Pruden Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi·10 min·Godwin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
16 mi·21 min·Benns Church Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 10
9.9 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
8
Turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
9
Turn right onto VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
10
Continue on VA 10
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
11
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
2.9 mi·4 min·East Randolph Road
12
Continue on VA 10
2.5 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 295 North: Washington
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·46 sec·this road
Toward I 295 North: Washington
15
Merge onto I 295
26 mi·28 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
20
Merge onto I 95
19 mi·21 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 152BToward VA 234 North: ManassasUse the right lane.
22
Continue on VA 234
7.3 mi·11 min·Dumfries Road
23
Turn left onto SR 846
9.2 mi·15 min·Bristow Road
24
Arrive at destination
SR 619
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 47-minute duration, timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic on these main thoroughfares is your best strategy. Since you have 184.9 miles of local road ahead, make sure to utilize your one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keeping your $30 fuel budget in mind, it is wise to fill up before hitting the more technical sections of the route where service stations may be less frequent. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected congestion. Always keep a close eye on your GPS, as the heavy turn count makes it easy to miss a transition on these local streets.
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 92.4 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 1h 55m 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 41 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 55m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristow, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 184.9 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 168.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 337 / West Washington Street
Turn right onto VA 337 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|Godwin Boulevard
Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
101.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.91 one way
$57.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.61
$63.23
premium
$4.70
$34.22
$68.44
diesel
$5.61
$40.82
$81.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.5
0
$19.41
$8.88
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
EV Truck/SUV
74
0
$25.89
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bristow, VA
Morning
in Bristow on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Hopewell, VA
92 mi in
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
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
3h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from high-speed interstate travel, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via local thoroughfares like West Washington Street, North Main Street, and Pruden Boulevard. The experience is defined by a turn-heavy profile that requires your full attention behind the wheel compared to a monotonous highway cruise. Because the roads are local, the pace is more consistent with regional travel rather than rapid transit. Be prepared for a driving style that prioritizes local connectivity over the efficiency of a major expressway.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
7/10
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 early in the drive near VA 337 / West Washington Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 184.9 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: near the start (VA 337 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 184.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Bristow, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 337 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Godwin Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bristow, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
