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Trip from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Roanoke, VA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

246.9 mi

397 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Gloucester Courthouse, VA, VA

Gloucester Courthouse, VA

Phil Evenden

independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 246.9 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.3 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.61 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

123.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 246.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.3 miles on I 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 120.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.2 miles in near VA 33.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 246.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 28.2 miles (VA 33): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
28.2 mi into trip | ~42m in | VA 33

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 33 toward I 64 West, VA 33 West: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 64 West, VA 33 West: Richmond
8
47.3 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
47.8 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
71.7 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
8
240.2 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | US 220

Take the exit onto US 220 toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 143 Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

Rocky Mount

47.3 mi in | ~1h 3m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 120.3 mi 2h 10m
I 81 47.7 mi 52m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 22.6 mi 24m
VA 33 19.1 mi 20m
VA 14 13 mi 19m
George Washington Memorial Highway 8 mi 10m
US 220 5.9 mi 8m
Buena Vista Road 4.9 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 120.3 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester Courthouse, VA and Roanoke, VA.

1

Start on SR 1014

0.3 mi · 1 min · Botetourt Avenue
2

Turn left onto US 17 BUS; VA 14

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Main Street
3

Continue on US 17 BUS; VA 14

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
4

Turn left onto SR 616

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Belroi Road
5

Turn right onto US 17

8.0 mi · 10 min · George Washington Memorial Highway
6

Turn left onto VA 14

1.1 mi · 1 min · Adner Road
7

Continue on VA 14

4.9 mi · 7 min · Buena Vista Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto VA 14; VA 33

13 mi · 19 min · VA 14; VA 33
9

Keep slight right at fork onto VA 33

19 mi · 20 min · VA 33
Toward I 64 West, VA 33 West: Richmond Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec
Exit 200 Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min
Toward I 295 North: Washington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 295

23 mi · 24 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 55 sec
Exit 53A Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
14

Merge onto I 64

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 64
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

48 mi · 52 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit onto US 220

5.9 mi · 8 min · US 220
Exit 143 Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke Use the slight left lane.
17

Take the exit onto US 220 BUS

0.1 mi · 17 sec · US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS

0.3 mi · 56 sec · US 220 BUS
19

Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
20

Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

477 ft · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
21

Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

379 ft · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
22

Turn left

115 ft · 13 sec
23

Turn left

132 ft · 9 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 123.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.3 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 123.4 miles or 2h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 54m

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 Gloucester Courthouse, 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 Gloucester Courthouse, VA

This is one driving day of about 246.9 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, 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 I 64 for about 120.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.4 mi from Gloucester Courthouse, VA · 2h 28m into the drive

Downtown Poolesville, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poolesville, MD

123 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

Middletown, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poolesville, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.3 miles.

Arriving in Roanoke, VA

The final approach into Roanoke, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Roanoke, VA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.61 one way

$77.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $42.22 $84.43
premium $4.70 $45.70 $91.39
diesel $5.61 $54.51 $109.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.1 0 $25.92 $11.85
Efficient EV 61.7 0 $21.60 $9.88
EV Truck/SUV 98.8 1 $34.57 $15.80

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Gloucester Courthouse, VA

Late night in Gloucester Courthouse on Wednesday

Local time

5:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Roanoke, VA

Late night in Roanoke on Wednesday

Local time

5:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 46m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 246.9 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.4 miles from Gloucester Courthouse, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 246.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.2 miles (VA 33): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Gloucester Courthouse, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.

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