How far is Suffolk, VA from Charlottesville, VA?

The driving distance from Suffolk, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 160.9 miles (258.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.3 miles (221 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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
160.88 mi
02h 42m
Flight
137.35 mi
221.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Suffolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.35 mi
Kilometers
221.05 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.88 mi
Kilometers
258.91 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 1:27 PM EDT
Return by in Suffolk
Wed, May 13, 4:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Suffolk
2026-05-13T10:44
Arrive Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 1:27 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Suffolk
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bensley
VA

Census designated place

From Suffolk
80.2 mi
01h 21m
To Charlottesville
80.7 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph S
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Saratoga Street

    50 m · 11 sec · South Saratoga Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Washington Street

    138 m · 17 sec · West Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    2.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Pruden Boulevard

    112 m · 9 sec · Pruden Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Godwin Boulevard

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Godwin Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Benns Church Boulevard

    16.3 mi · 22 min · Benns Church Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Colonial Trail East

    9.9 mi · 11 min · Colonial Trail East

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Rolfe Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Rolfe Highway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Colonial Trail West

    13.3 mi · 15 min · Colonial Trail West

  10. 10

    Continue on James River Drive

    14.6 mi · 19 min · James River Drive

  11. 11

    Continue on East Randolph Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East Randolph Road

  12. 12

    Continue on East Hundred Road

    6.6 mi · 9 min · East Hundred Road

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Richmond

    1753 ft · 43 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    17.3 mi · 22 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville

    65.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 20: Charlottesville, Scottsville

    1217 ft · 34 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Monticello Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn slight right

    2312 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Market Street

    140 m · 25 sec · East Market Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 7th Street Northeast

    87 m · 16 sec · 7th Street Northeast

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 West
65.2 mi · 41%
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
17.3 mi · 11%
Benns Church Boulevard
16.3 mi · 10%
James River Drive
14.6 mi · 9%
Colonial Trail West
13.3 mi · 8%
Colonial Trail East
9.86 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 64 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville

65.2 mi · 01h 12m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.6 mi
137.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bensley
01h 21m from Suffolk
Leave By
1:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Suffolk and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 160.9 miles (258.9 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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 80.2 miles from Suffolk and 80.7 miles from Charlottesville.

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

The direct path is about 137.3 miles (221 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 1:04 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 Sunny around Suffolk and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charlottesville.

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 10.3 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 8.9 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 9 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 9 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 Suffolk and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 137.35 mi (221.05 km).

Suffolk

#1 Suffolk

The most populous city in Suffolk County, Virginia.

Population93,913
Coordinates36.7283600, -76.5849600
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Charlottesville

#2 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Start: South Saratoga Street (-76.584824, 36.728307)
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)

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
21.49 L · about $22.50
Round trip
$45.00
11.36 gal · 42.98 L
Estimated CO2
50.5 kg one way
Round trip: 101 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 Suffolk and Charlottesville. The current time is 10:44:51.

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.