How far is Chesapeake, VA from Suffolk, VA?

The driving distance from Chesapeake, VA to Suffolk, VA is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
21.39 mi
00h 28m
Flight
18.27 mi
29.4 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chesapeake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.27 mi
Kilometers
29.4 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.39 mi
Kilometers
34.43 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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 00h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Suffolk
Wed, May 6, 4:14 PM EDT
Return by in Chesapeake
Wed, May 6, 4:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chesapeake
2026-05-06T15:46
Arrive Suffolk
Wed, May 6, 4:14 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:28 AM to 7:28 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Chesapeake
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Portsmouth Heights
VA

A census-designated place in Newport News, Virginia.

From Chesapeake
10.6 mi
00h 14m
To Suffolk
10.8 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 6 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 6 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake and Suffolk.

  1. 1

    Start on D Street

    126 m · 21 sec · D Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Poindexter Street

    1617 ft · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward I 464 North

    1284 ft · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 264 West Toll: Downtown Tunnel, Portsmouth

    580 ft · 14 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 264 West Toll: Tunnel

    2569 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 10 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond

    1 km · 47 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway

    2197 ft · 31 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway

    1598 ft · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    3155 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue on West Military Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Portsmouth Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 13 Business South, US 58 Business West, US 460 Business West: Downtown, Suffolk

    1.1 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Portsmouth Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on East Constance Road

    1057 ft · 31 sec · East Constance Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Pinner Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Pinner Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1531 ft · 41 sec · East Washington Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Saratoga Street

    50 m · 4 sec · South Saratoga Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Saratoga Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
93.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 264 West Toll
7.34 mi · 34%
Portsmouth Boulevard
5.3 mi · 25%
West Military Highway
2.41 mi · 11%
I 464 North
1.43 mi · 7%
East Pinner Street
1.15 mi · 5%
US 13
0.9 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 264 West Toll

Merge slight left

6.74 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
18.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portsmouth Heights
00h 14m from Chesapeake
Leave By
7:34 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Chesapeake and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Suffolk.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chesapeake to Suffolk?

The road trip is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Portsmouth Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.6 miles from Chesapeake and 10.8 miles from Suffolk.

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

The direct path is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.01 one way or $6.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Chesapeake and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Suffolk.

Stop Ideas Near Portsmouth Heights

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 Portsmouth Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
Chartreuse Bistro
Food stop 8.1 mi away

Chartreuse Bistro

Norfolk , VA
205 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Rating 4.7/5 140 reviews Bistro,Bar,Bar & grill,Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13.1 mi away

City Hall Parking

Newport News , VA
101-199 24th St, Newport News, VA 23607
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews Parking lot
Smooth: A Skin & Waxing Boutique
Practical stop 8.2 mi away

Smooth: A Skin & Waxing Boutique

Norfolk , VA
215 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Rating 4.8/5 235 reviews Waxing hair removal service,Beauty salon,Facial spa,Skin care clinic
A Goodwin for Portsmouth Mayor
Meeting point 6.9 mi away

A Goodwin for Portsmouth Mayor

Portsmouth , VA
900 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Rating 5.0/5 15 reviews City government office,City administration,Local government office,City Hall,Political party office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Portsmouth Heights.

BUS

Norfolk

8 mi away
215 W York Street
RAIL

Newport News station

23 mi away
9304 Warwick Boulevard
BUS

Virginia Beach, Virginia

35 mi away
19th St. and Pacific Ave.
RAIL

Williamsburg Transportation Center

59 mi away
468 North Boundary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chesapeake and Suffolk. Straight-line distance: 18.27 mi (29.4 km).

Chesapeake

#1 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Suffolk

#2 Suffolk

The most populous city in Suffolk County, Virginia.

Population93,913
Coordinates36.7283600, -76.5849600
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Start: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)
End: South Saratoga Street (-76.584824, 36.728307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.76 gal
2.86 L · about $3.01
Round trip
$6.02
1.52 gal · 5.72 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.5 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $3.01 $6.02
Mid-grade $4.43 $3.37 $6.73
Premium $4.78 $3.63 $7.26
Diesel $5.62 $4.27 $8.55

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 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Chesapeake and Suffolk. The current time is 15:46:14.

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.