Origin
Ettrick, VA
Afternoon in Ettrick on Saturday
Local time
3:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ettrick, VA to Roanoke, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
165.2 mi
266 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ettrick, VA
Tima Miroshnichenko
Roanoke, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ettrick, VA to Roanoke, VA is 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 35m via Richmond Highway and US 460, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you entirely within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mixed drive with a substantial portion on local roads and some highway time. Given the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward trip, perfect for a single day of travel without feeling rushed. Plan for a day where you can enjoy the journey without needing to book overnight accommodations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.6 miles from Ettrick, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Highway | 31.1 mi | 38m |
| US 460 | 29.2 mi | 34m |
| New Cox Road | 23 mi | 26m |
| East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike | 16 mi | 20m |
| West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| West Colonial Trail Highway | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| East Colonial Trail | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| East Colonial Trail Road | 6.9 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Richmond Highway
— 31.1 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on East River Road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East River Road
2
Turn right onto SR 1107
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
Granger Street
3
Turn right onto VA 36
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
River Road
4
Turn left onto SR 600
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pickett Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 600
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ferndale Road
6
Turn right onto SR 1310
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Cedar Heart Lane
7
Turn right onto VA 226
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Cox Road
8
Turn right onto US 460
23 mi
·
26 min
·
New Cox Road
9
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East Colonial Trail Highway
10
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Colonial Trail Road
11
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
East Colonial Trail
12
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colonial Trail Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Colonial Trail Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi
·
34 min
·
US 460
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
31 mi
·
38 min
·
Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
16
Continue on US 460
16 mi
·
20 min
·
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi
·
18 min
·
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
18
Continue on US 221; US 460
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Blue Ridge Boulevard
19
Continue on US 221; US 460
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 221; US 460; US 220 Alternate
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Orange Avenue Northeast
21
Turn left onto US 11; US 221
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Williamson Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Salem Avenue Southeast
23
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
24
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kirk Avenue Southwest
25
Turn left
115 ft
·
13 sec
26
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive of just over 3.5 hours, you have considerable flexibility. Leaving Ettrick in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Roanoke. There's one recommended stop, so plan to make it midway to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially considering the total fuel cost is estimated at $26. Watch for changes in speed limits as you transition between different road types, particularly when moving from Richmond Highway to US 460. Given the manageable distance, you can easily start your day anytime from mid-morning onward and still arrive with time to spare.
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 82.6 miles from Ettrick, VA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.1 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roanoke, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, VA
This is one driving day of about 165.2 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Ettrick, 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 Richmond Highway for about 31.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Ettrick, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 165.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 1107 / Granger Street
Turn right onto SR 1107 / Granger Street
Navigation decision point
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
SR 600 / Pickett Avenue
Turn left onto SR 600 / Pickett Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
91.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 460 / Richmond Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 / Richmond Highway toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
5
165 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
165.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
Kirk Avenue Southwest
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.83 one way
$51.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.25 | $56.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.58 | $61.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.47 | $72.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.14
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(16 mi)
$1.12
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)
$1.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Afternoon in Roanoke on Saturday
Local time
3:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 5.7
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 91.1
View on nps.gov
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 165.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with only 36% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Richmond Highway, which can feel more like local driving, interspersed with sections of US 460. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is about 31.1 miles on Richmond Highway. As you progress, the character of the road will shift, moving from potentially more developed areas to the more open feel of US 460. Be prepared for a varied pace, with some faster sections and some slower, more scenic local road segments.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.1 mi on Richmond Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 1107 / Granger Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 1107 / Granger Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (SR 600 / Pickett Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles (US 460 / Richmond Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 165.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.1 miles on Richmond Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.14 in tolls one way, starting with East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Roanoke, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 1107 / Granger Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (SR 600 / Pickett Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles (US 460 / Richmond Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Booker T Washington National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Roanoke, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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