The drive from Highland Springs, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 194.7 miles and takes about 3h 41m 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, US 220 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.2 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
97.3 miles from Highland Springs, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 194.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 194.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.2 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 15 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 136.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VA 33 / West Nine Mile Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 194.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (VA 33 / West Nine Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 33 / West Nine Mile Road
Turn left onto VA 33 / West Nine Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
10.2 mi into trip|~15m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 79
Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: Charlottesville
6
140.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
188 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
136.2 mi
2h 31m
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
West Nine Mile Road
3.9 mi
6m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
South Jefferson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Kirk Avenue Southwest
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 136.2 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Springs, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on South Holly Avenue
30 ft·8 sec·South Holly Avenue
2
Turn left onto VA 33
3.9 mi·6 min·West Nine Mile Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 64 West: Downtown
4
Merge onto I 64
6.0 mi·8 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
130 mi·2 hr 23 min·I 64
Exit 79Toward I 64 West, I 195 South: CharlottesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
48 mi·52 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi·8 min·US 220
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
10
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
11
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
12
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
13
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
14
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
15
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 97.3 miles from Highland Springs, VA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.2 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
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 Highland Springs, 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 Highland Springs, VA
This is one driving day of about 194.7 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Highland Springs, 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 136.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.3 mi from Highland Springs, VA
· 1h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 194.7
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 6.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.45 one way
$60.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.29
$66.58
premium
$4.70
$36.03
$72.07
diesel
$5.61
$42.99
$85.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.4
0
$20.44
$9.35
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.04
$7.79
EV Truck/SUV
77.9
0
$27.26
$12.46
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Highland Springs, VA
Late night
in Highland Springs on Saturday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Late night
in Roanoke on Saturday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
3h 41m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Highland Springs, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 194.7 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, I 81, US 220. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.3 miles from Highland Springs, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VA 33 / West Nine Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Highland Springs, VA to Roanoke, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield.
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.
