Origin
Roanoke, VA
Evening in Roanoke on Sunday
Local time
7:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roanoke, VA to Buchanan, VA
Drive Time
39m
Distance
29.7 mi
48 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roanoke, VA
Kelly
Buchanan, VA
Photography Maghradze PH
Trip Overview
The drive from Roanoke, VA to Buchanan, VA covers 29.7 miles and takes about 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 220, I 581, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.1 miles on US 220. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.75 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14.9 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 39m highway drive covering 29.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 220 and I 581. The longest continuous stretch is about 13.1 miles on US 220.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 220 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 220 and I 581. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street Southwest.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 (1st Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Street Southwest
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest
Turn sharp left onto US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 220 BUS
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Br...
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 581; US 220
Merge onto I 581; US 220
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 220 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| I 581 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| I 81 | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Lee Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Williamson Road Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Road Southwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Williamson Road Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 13.1 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Buchanan, VA.
1
Start on this road
285 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
3
Turn sharp left onto US 221; US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Franklin Road Southwest
4
Turn left onto US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Williamson Road Southeast
5
Continue on US 11; US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Williamson Road Northeast
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 220 BUS
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 581; US 220
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 220
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 81
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 81
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 11: Buchanan
11
Turn right onto US 11
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Lee Highway
12
Continue on US 11
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
13
Turn right
110 ft
·
8 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 14.9 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.1 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 29.7 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.9 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buchanan, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA
This is one driving day of about 29.7 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Roanoke, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 220 for about 13.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.9 mi from Roanoke, VA · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 29.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.9 miles from Roanoke, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buchanan, VA
The final approach into Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.75 one way
$9.51 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.18 | $10.36 |
| premium | $4.78 | $5.59 | $11.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.60 | $13.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
| Efficient EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.60 | $1.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Buchanan, VA
Evening in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
7:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
25 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
39m 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 Roanoke, VA to Buchanan, VA covers 29.7 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 220, I 581, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.9 miles from Roanoke, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 0.1 miles (1st Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Roanoke, VA to Buchanan, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Buchanan, VA
More trips to Buchanan, VA
Explore more options from Roanoke, VA or browse trips ending in Buchanan, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
Explore maps for Roanoke, VA or Buchanan, VA on MapSof.net.