This 176.7-mile drive from Woodbridge, VA to Suffolk, VA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via I-95 and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a portion on James River Drive. With a highway share of 42%, it offers a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. Since both locations are within the Southeast region of Virginia, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. This route is well-suited for a straightforward day trip, allowing for a relaxed start and arrival.
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
88.3 miles from Woodbridge, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
72.7 mi
1h 21m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.1 mi
29m
James River Drive
14.6 mi
19m
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi
15m
Old Stage Highway
12 mi
15m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Godwin Boulevard
8.9 mi
10m
Benns Church Boulevard
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbridge, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on this road
22 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Continue on SR 906
0.4 mi·48 sec·Occoquan Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
3
Turn left onto SR 639
1.1 mi·2 min·Horner Road
4
Turn left onto SR 1299
0.2 mi·26 sec·Summerland Drive
5
Turn right onto VA 294
0.7 mi·1 min·Prince William Parkway
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 South: RichmondUse the straight / left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 95
24 mi·28 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
13
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
14
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
15
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
16
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
17
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
18
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
19
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
21
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
22
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
23
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
24
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
25
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
26
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
For this manageable 3-hour and 32-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize your day. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $28, planning your stops for breaks and potential refueling is straightforward. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 72.7 miles on I-95, so be sure to take advantage of services before or after this segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time, but leaving early will allow for a more leisurely pace and avoid potential rush hour traffic.
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 88.3 miles from Woodbridge, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffolk, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodbridge, 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 Woodbridge, VA
This is one driving day of about 176.7 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Woodbridge, 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 72.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 104.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward I 95 South: Richmond
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Richmond
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
26.6 mi into trip|~33m in|I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
7
104.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.63 one way
$55.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.21
$60.43
premium
$4.70
$32.70
$65.41
diesel
$5.61
$39.01
$78.03
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: 61.8 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
53
0
$18.55
$8.48
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.46
$7.07
EV Truck/SUV
70.7
0
$24.74
$11.31
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Woodbridge, VA
Late night
in Woodbridge on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Late night
in Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°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
1 degrees warmer 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
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
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 146.2
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 109.7
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 164.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, with 42% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 72.7 miles on I-95, indicating a period of consistent, faster travel. As you transition to roads like Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and James River Drive, the character of the drive will likely shift, offering a different pace. This blend means you’ll experience both efficient interstate cruising and potentially more varied local road conditions as you approach your destination.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 176.7 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: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodbridge, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Va Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 176.7 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 72.7 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 Suffolk, 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: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
