How far is Charlottesville, VA from South Suffolk, VA?

The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to South Suffolk, VA is about 160.9 miles (259 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
160.94 mi
02h 46m
Flight
137.65 mi
221.53 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlottesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.65 mi
Kilometers
221.53 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.94 mi
Kilometers
259.01 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Suffolk
Wed, May 13, 12:43 PM EDT
Return by in Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 3:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlottesville
2026-05-13T09:56
Arrive South Suffolk
Wed, May 13, 12:43 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlottesville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bensley
VA

Census designated place

From Charlottesville
80.3 mi
01h 23m
To South Suffolk
80.7 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and South Suffolk.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and South Suffolk.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    71 m · 19 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    75 m · 10 sec · East Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 9th Street Northeast

    666 ft · 31 sec · 9th Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on East High Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · East High Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Long Street

    96 m · 8 sec · Long Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Richmond Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Richmond Road

  7. 7

    Take the exit left toward I 64 East

    1558 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    65.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    14.6 mi · 19 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 10 East: Hopewell

    1605 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on West Hundred Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · West Hundred Road

  12. 12

    Continue on West Randolph Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · West Randolph Road

  13. 13

    Continue on James River Drive

    14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

  14. 14

    Continue on Colonial Trail West

    13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Rolfe Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit right

    45 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Colonial Trail East

    9.8 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

  18. 18

    Continue on Old Stage Highway

    12 mi · 16 min · Old Stage Highway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Benns Church Boulevard

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Benns Church Boulevard

  20. 20

    Continue on Godwin Boulevard

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Godwin Boulevard

  21. 21

    Continue on Godwin Boulevard

    2565 ft · 48 sec · Godwin Boulevard

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Pruden Boulevard

    112 m · 6 sec · Pruden Boulevard

  23. 23

    Continue on North Main Street

    2.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Carolina Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Carolina Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Carolina Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and South Suffolk.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
65.8 mi · 41%
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
14.6 mi · 9%
James River Drive
14.6 mi · 9%
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 8%
Old Stage Highway
12 mi · 7%
Colonial Trail East
9.84 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

65.5 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
137.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bensley
01h 23m from Charlottesville
Leave By
12:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Charlottesville and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near South Suffolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to South Suffolk?

The road trip is about 160.9 miles (259 km) and usually takes 02h 46m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bensley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Charlottesville and 80.7 miles from South Suffolk.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Charlottesville and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near South Suffolk.

Stop Ideas Near Bensley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Bensley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 11.4 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 10 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 10.1 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 10.1 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bensley.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

19 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Petersburg station

23 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Ashland

35 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and South Suffolk. Straight-line distance: 137.65 mi (221.53 km).

Charlottesville

#1 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 South Suffolk

A census-designated place in Suffolk County, Virginia.

Population80,690
Coordinates36.7170900, -76.5902300
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
Start: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
End: Carolina Road (-76.590122, 36.717084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.68 gal
21.5 L · about $22.50
Round trip
$45.00
11.36 gal · 43 L
Estimated CO2
50.5 kg one way
Round trip: 101 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.50 $45.00
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.16 $50.31
Premium $4.78 $27.14 $54.28
Diesel $5.62 $31.94 $63.89

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Virginia · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlottesville and South Suffolk. The current time is 09:56:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.