How far is McLean, VA from South Suffolk, VA?
The driving distance from McLean, VA to South Suffolk, VA is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and South Suffolk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLean and South Suffolk.
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1
Start on Elm Street
672 ft · 24 sec · Elm Street
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2
Turn left onto Beverly Road
111 m · 15 sec · Beverly Road
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3
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
1671 ft · 49 sec · Old Dominion Drive
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4
Turn left onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
2 mi · 5 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South
1690 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Richmond
2615 ft · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, SR 644 East: Richmond, Franconia
1628 ft · 40 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Richmond
2034 ft · 33 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
35.7 mi · 42 min · Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 53 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
1.9 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.1 mi · 29 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward VA 10 East: Hopewell
1919 ft · 47 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto East Hundred Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · East Hundred Road
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16
Continue on West Randolph Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · West Randolph Road
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17
Continue on James River Drive
14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive
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18
Continue on Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Rolfe Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway
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20
Take the exit right
45 m · 6 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Colonial Trail East
9.8 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East
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22
Continue on Old Stage Highway
12 mi · 16 min · Old Stage Highway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Benns Church Boulevard
4.3 mi · 6 min · Benns Church Boulevard
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24
Continue on Godwin Boulevard
8.4 mi · 10 min · Godwin Boulevard
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25
Continue on Godwin Boulevard
2565 ft · 48 sec · Godwin Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto Pruden Boulevard
112 m · 6 sec · Pruden Boulevard
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27
Continue on North Main Street
2.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
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28
Continue on Carolina Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Carolina Road
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Carolina Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and South Suffolk.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight left
48.6 mi · 00h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving McLean and Mostly 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 McLean to South Suffolk?
The road trip is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km) and usually takes 03h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chamberlayne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.2 miles from McLean and 97.6 miles from South Suffolk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.65 one way or $55.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around McLean and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near South Suffolk.
Stop Ideas Near Chamberlayne
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chamberlayne.
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Ashland
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLean and South Suffolk. Straight-line distance: 156.51 mi (251.88 km).
#1 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Suffolk
A census-designated place in Suffolk County, Virginia.
| Population | 80,690 |
| Coordinates | 36.7170900, -76.5902300 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Road (-76.590122, 36.717084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.65 | $55.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.91 | $61.83 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.35 | $66.70 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.