Woodstock, VA to Suffolk, VA is 240.1 miles and takes about 4h 59m via US 17, I 66, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a practical option if you need to get between these two points efficiently without extensive planning.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120 miles from Woodstock, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
75 mi
1h 33m
I 66
28.1 mi
30m
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
James Madison Highway
11.6 mi
16m
Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 75 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,223
Quietest
2 AM
~162 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
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 Woodstock, VA and Suffolk, VA.
1
Start on West Court Street
116 ft·12 sec·West Court Street
2
Turn left onto US 11
1.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 11
4.4 mi·6 min·Old Valley Pike
4
Continue on US 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Continue on US 11
0.5 mi·56 sec·Old Valley Pike
6
Turn left onto SR 651
0.8 mi·1 min·Mount Olive Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 81
8.6 mi·9 min·I 81
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
10
Continue on I 66
28 mi·30 min·I 66
11
Take the exit onto US 17
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 17
Toward US 17: Warrenton, Fredericksburg
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 17
13
Merge onto US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
14
Continue on US 17
6.5 mi·8 min·James Madison Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
4.9 mi·6 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 South: FredericksburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
27 mi·39 min·US 17
Toward US 17 South
18
Take the exit onto US 17
48 mi·53 min·US 17
Toward I 95 South, US 17 South: RichmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
27 mi·29 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward VA 10 East: HopewellUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto VA 10
2.9 mi·3 min·East Hundred Road
23
Continue on VA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·West Randolph Road
24
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi·19 min·James River Drive
25
Continue on VA 10
13 mi·15 min·Colonial Trail West
26
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Rolfe Highway
27
Take the exit
149 ft·6 sec
28
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi·11 min·Colonial Trail East
29
Continue on VA 10
12 mi·15 min·Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 10
4.3 mi·5 min·Benns Church Boulevard
31
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
8.4 mi·9 min·Godwin Boulevard
32
Continue on VA 10; VA 32
0.5 mi·48 sec·Godwin Boulevard
33
Turn left onto US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
366 ft·6 sec·Pruden Boulevard
34
Continue on US 460 BUS; VA 10; VA 32
2.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
35
Turn right onto VA 337
454 ft·17 sec·West Washington Street
36
Turn left onto South Saratoga Street
165 ft·4 sec·South Saratoga Street
37
Arrive at destination
South Saratoga Street
Trip Plan
For this roughly 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the trip. Since it's a single-day route, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but plan your single recommended stop strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $37, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longest stretch of 75 miles on US 17. This route doesn't necessitate breaking it up, but be mindful of the transition from highway to surface roads as you approach 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 120 miles from Woodstock, VA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
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 Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, VA
This is one driving day of about 240.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Woodstock, 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 US 17 for about 75 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 167.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.4 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 17 / Eastern Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / Eastern Bypass toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 South: Fredericksburg
7
90.7 mi into trip|~2h in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
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 I 95 South, US 17 South: Richmond
8
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
$35.45 one way
$70.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.95
$77.91
premium
$4.49
$42.46
$84.92
diesel
$4.80
$45.34
$90.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72
0
$25.21
$11.52
Efficient EV
60
0
$21.01
$9.60
EV Truck/SUV
96
1
$33.61
$15.37
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Woodstock, VA
Morning
in Woodstock on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Suffolk, VA
Morning
in Suffolk on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 8 to 12 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM 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
6 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has a long and rich heritage that still inspires today. Native Americans first shaped the land, followed by colonists and settlers. The fertile valley became an important...
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...
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 173.9
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 223.5
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
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!
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 41.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 47% of this 240.1-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 75 miles on US 17, which will feel like a significant segment of cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely involve a noticeable change in traffic density and speed limits.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on US 17.
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 7.4 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 240.1 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 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 53.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
785 ft10 ft
Total Climb
111 ft
Total Descent
846 ft
Highest Point
785 ft
Elevation Range
775 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodstock, VA and Suffolk, VA, road signs point toward Washington, Fredericksburg, Norfolk and Va Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 240.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 53.9 miles (US 17 / Eastern Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.7 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Suffolk, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
