If you are planning a trip from Suffolk to Richmond, you are looking at a 92-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 1 minute. This route keeps you within the Southeast region of Virginia, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Expect to budget roughly $15 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing Benns Church Boulevard, James River Drive, and Colonial Trail West, you avoid the monotony of major interstates. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that fits perfectly into a single day of travel, whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi
21m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
12.5 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
East Hundred Road
6.6 mi
9m
East Randolph Road
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Benns Church Boulevard
— 16.3 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffolk, VA and Richmond, 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
6.6 mi·9 min·East Hundred Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: RichmondUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·15 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 74AToward VA 195 Toll: Downtown ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on VA 195
1.6 mi·2 min·Downtown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on this road
373 ft·9 sec·this road
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Meadow StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Meadow Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Meadow Street
21
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Monument Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
23
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Since this 92-mile drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. Given the lack of planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $15 fuel estimate assumes consistent driving conditions. If you find the turn-heavy nature of the route tiring, consider building in a buffer for a quick break to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially when transitioning between Benns Church Boulevard and the other local roads, as the route requires frequent turns. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Richmond feeling refreshed rather than worn out by a long day behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 92 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Suffolk, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Benns Church Boulevard for about 16.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91 — 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
6
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: Richmond
7
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward VA 195 Toll: Downtown Expressway
7
90.6 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Cash Toll, Meadow Street
8
91 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Meadow Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Meadow Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.39 one way
$28.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.73
$31.46
premium
$4.70
$17.03
$34.05
diesel
$5.61
$20.31
$40.62
Estimated Tolls: $0.87
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(12.5 mi)$0.87
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.66
$4.42
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.05
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.88
$5.89
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 14, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Waverly, VA
46 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
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
2h 1m 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 31.7
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 15.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as only 15% of this route takes place on major highways. You will spend much of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the experience engaging and varied. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.3-mile segment on Benns Church Boulevard, providing a brief period of steady driving. Because the route relies on smaller thoroughfares like James River Drive and Colonial Trail West, you should remain alert for shifting road conditions. This is a trip for those who prefer the character of local backroads over the predictable rhythm of a multi-lane interstate.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.3 mi on Benns Church Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 13 significant decision points across 92 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 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 92 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.3 miles on Benns Church Boulevard. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.87 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg 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.
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 Richmond, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 337 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.7 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond, VA before heading back.
