Suffolk, VA to West Gate, VA is 189.7 miles and takes about 3h 54m via I 95 and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily within Virginia, offering a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect varying speed limits and traffic conditions. Given the relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
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
94.8 miles from Suffolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m 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
Dumfries Road
14.2 mi
20m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.9 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,176 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,909
Quietest
2 AM
~501 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 West Gate, 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
14 mi·20 min·Dumfries Road
23
Continue on VA 234
3.0 mi·4 min·Prince William Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward VA 28 North: ManassasUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward VA 28 North: Manassas
26
Merge onto VA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Nokesville Road
27
Turn left onto Godwin Drive
2.1 mi·3 min·Godwin Drive
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn left onto VA 234 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Sudley Road
29
Turn right onto Portsmouth Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Portsmouth Road
30
Turn left onto Urbanna Road
338 ft·13 sec·Urbanna Road
31
Turn right onto Henrico Street
479 ft·16 sec·Henrico Street
32
Arrive at destination
Henrico Street
Trip Plan
For this 189.7-mile drive, leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach West Gate, VA, well before evening. With only one stop recommended and a drive time under 4 hours, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing Suffolk, VA, as the estimated fuel cost is $29. The transition from highway to surface roads means paying close attention to changing speed limits and traffic signals as you get closer to your destination.
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 94.8 miles from Suffolk, VA, or about 1h 58m 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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.8 miles or 1h 58m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Gate, 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 189.7 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 185.9 — 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
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
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
6
185.7 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward VA 28 North: Manassas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 28 North: Manassas
6
185.9 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VA 28 North: Manassas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward VA 28 North: Manassas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.07 one way
$58.13 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$31.90
$63.80
premium
$4.64
$34.63
$69.26
diesel
$5.60
$41.82
$83.63
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: 66.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.11
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
EV Truck/SUV
75.9
0
$26.56
$12.14
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Friday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gate, VA
Morning
in West Gate on Friday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°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.
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
1 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 54m 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.
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
~29 min detour
$15
near mile 32.7
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...
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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 13.1
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 189.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this 189.7-mile drive is on highways like I 95. You'll experience a longest stretch of 66 miles on I 95, offering a chance for consistent speed. The route transitions from highway to surface roads, so be prepared for a change in pace and potentially more intersections after leaving the main interstate. Expect a mixed driving experience with both faster highway cruising and slower surface road travel.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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?
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 early in the drive near VA 337 / West Washington Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 189.7 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 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 189.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m 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.
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 West Gate, 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. 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 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at West Gate, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
