Suffolk, VA to Independent Hill, VA is 176.3 miles and takes about 3h 32m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick and uncomplicated journey between these two points. You'll find the drive is a mixed bag, offering a blend of highway speeds and potentially some local road transitions. It's a solid day trip or a convenient segment of a larger journey.
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
88.1 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m 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
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Dumfries Road
7.3 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 Suffolk, VA and Independent Hill, 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
0.6 mi·59 sec·Bristow Road
24
Arrive at destination
SR 846
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour-and-32-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 66 miles on I 95, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye out for transitions between highway and local roads, as these can sometimes present unexpected traffic patterns. A good tip is to check your GPS for real-time traffic conditions before you leave Suffolk, as I 95 can experience congestion.
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 88.1 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 1h 51m 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independent Hill, 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 176.3 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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
$28.04 one way
$56.08 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$30.57
$61.15
premium
$4.78
$33.17
$66.34
diesel
$5.35
$37.13
$74.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Evening
in Suffolk on Wednesday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
N 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Independent Hill, VA
Evening
in Independent Hill on Wednesday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Colonial Heights, VA
88 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
9 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 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$15
near mile 30.4
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 66.9
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by a mixed profile, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 66 miles on I 95, providing a consistent pace. While the majority of the route utilizes major arteries like I 95 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, there are also sections on local roads such as Benns Church Boulevard. Expect a blend of faster-paced driving on the interstates and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through more populated or rural areas on the other roads. The drive progresses from a more urban-influenced start to a more open feel.
37% 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 176.3 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 32m. Total distance: 176.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m 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 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 Independent Hill, 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.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Independent Hill, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
