Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Suffolk, VA to Colonial Heights, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 34m
Distance
366.9 mi
590 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 25m
★
6 AM
7h 35m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 40m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Suffolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Colonial Heights, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Suffolk, VA to Colonial Heights, VA is 366.9 miles and takes about 7h 34m via I 81 and Richmond Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. The route offers a mixed driving experience, blending highway cruising with surface road travel. Given the duration and distance, it's definitely manageable as a single-day trip, but plan your stops to make the most of the 7.5 hours on the road.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.5 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 141.2 mi | 2h 35m |
| 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
— 141.2 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 116 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,299
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Suffolk, VA and Colonial Heights, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81; US 52
Use the straight lane.
42
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Old Airport Road, Bonham Road
43
Turn right onto Old Airport Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Old Airport Road
44
Turn right onto US 11; US 19
506 ft
·
12 sec
·
Lee Highway
45
Arrive at destination
US 11; US 19
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving in the morning is best to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With 2 recommended stops, you can easily break up the 366.9 miles. Consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant break is 141.2 miles on I 81, so plan accordingly for that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from highway to surface roads, with an estimated fuel cost of $56 for the trip.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.5 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 81 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.5 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colonial Heights, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Suffolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 366.9 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Suffolk, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 141.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.5 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 141.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Radford Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Iranto Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lancer Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area South
0.1 mi from route
Radford Safety Rest Area North
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 301 — 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
6
301 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
I 81; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 52
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.29 one way
$116.57 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $63.56 | $127.11 |
| premium | $4.78 | $69.05 | $138.09 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $89.25 | $178.51 |
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
$58
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.1 | 1 | $38.52 | $17.61 |
| Efficient EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.10 | $14.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.8 | 1 | $51.37 | $23.48 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Afternoon in Suffolk on Monday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Colonial Heights, VA
Afternoon in Colonial Heights on Monday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Areas Of Frost
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 19 at 5:03AM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 22 at 1:00AM 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
14 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
7h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 151.8
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 63.3
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 202.4
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 25.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 58% of this 366.9-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 141.2 miles on I 81. After that, expect a transition to surface roads like Richmond Highway and US 460. This means you'll experience both faster-paced highway travel and more localized driving as you approach your destination.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 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 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 23 significant decision points across 366.9 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: 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
2,550 ft
50 ft
Total Climb
2,521 ft
Total Descent
766 ft
Highest Point
2,550 ft
~314.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,500 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 Colonial Heights, VA, road signs point toward Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Blackstone
59.2 mi in
|
~1h 30m
|
via US 460
Lynchburg
65.8 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via US 460
About the Cities
Starting in Suffolk, VA
Full guide →Founded 1742
Suffolk is a city in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Top landmarks
- • Chuckatuck Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
- • Bay Point Farm
- • Cedar Hill Cemetery — cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia
Arriving in Colonial Heights, VA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Violet Bank Museum — historic plantation house and museum in Colonial Heights, Virginia
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 34m. Total distance: 366.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.2 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 21 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 Colonial Heights, 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colonial Heights, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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