Trip from Roanoke, VA to Hollymead, VA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

125.5 mi

202 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 17m ★

6 AM

2h 27m

8 AM

2h 47m

10 AM

2h 34m

12 PM

2h 32m

3 PM

2h 35m

5 PM

2h 46m

8 PM

2h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Hollymead, VA

Marcella Soáres

Trip Overview

This 125.5-mile drive from Roanoke, VA, to Hollymead, VA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You'll spend about 94% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Virginia. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this route offers an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay. The overall feel is one of focused travel, ideal if you want to reach your destination with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency. Consider this a practical option for a swift trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.7 miles from Roanoke, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 125.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.7 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. You'll primarily navigate on I-81, I-64, and US-220, which generally means smooth sailing and higher speed limits. This drive is less about winding backroads and more about covering ground efficiently on well-maintained arteries.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. You will hit about 13 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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 125.5 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: 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 13 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 1st Street Southwest

Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

Navigation decision point

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

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...

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

125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | SR 1520 / Hollymead Drive

At end of road, turn right onto SR 1520 / Hollymead Drive

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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 Roanoke, VA to Hollymead, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Culpeper along the way.

Culpeper

115.6 mi in | ~2h 10m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	64.7 mi	1h 9m
I 64	31.1 mi	34m
US 220	13.1 mi	15m
I 581	5.6 mi	7m
Seminole Trail	4.6 mi	8m
US 29	3.8 mi	5m
Emmet Street North	0.5 mi	1m
Hollymead Drive	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

285 ft · 26 sec · this road

Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

0.1 mi · 34 sec · 1st Street Southwest

Turn sharp left onto US 221; US 220 BUS

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Franklin Road Southwest

Turn left onto US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Williamson Road Southeast

Continue on US 11; US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Williamson Road Northeast

Use the straight lane.

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.

Merge onto I 581; US 220

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 581; US 220

Use the straight lane.

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.

Continue on I 81

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

31 mi · 34 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 29 North: Charlottesville, Culpeper

Continue on US 29

3.8 mi · 5 min · US 29

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS

144 ft · 10 sec · Emmet Street North

Continue on US 29 BUS

0.5 mi · 1 min · Emmet Street North

Continue on US 29

4.6 mi · 8 min · Seminole Trail

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto SR 1520

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Hollymead Drive

At end of road, turn right onto SR 1520

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Hollymead Drive

Turn left onto SR 1523

128 ft · 5 sec · Goldentree Place

Arrive at destination

SR 1523

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2 hour and 27 minute duration for this 125.5-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic, especially around the Roanoke and Charlottesville areas. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without an exit is 64.7 miles on I-81, so plan for a restroom break before embarking on that segment if needed. This is a drive where you can easily make good time, so consider packing snacks to enjoy along the way.

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 62.7 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 28 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.7 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollymead, 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 125.5 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Roanoke, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 64.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.7 mi from Roanoke, VA · 1h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buena Vista, VA

63 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

Buchanan, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buena Vista, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.7 miles from Roanoke, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.7 miles.

Arriving in Hollymead, VA

The final approach into Hollymead, 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 Hollymead, 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

$19.63 one way

$39.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$21.46	$42.92
premium	$4.70	$23.23	$46.45
diesel	$5.61	$27.71	$55.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.7	$13.18	$6.02
Efficient EV	31.4	$10.98	$5.02
EV Truck/SUV	50.2	$17.57	$8.03

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 16, 2026

Origin

Roanoke, VA

Night in Roanoke on Thursday

Local time

9:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hollymead, VA

Night in Hollymead on Thursday

Local time

9:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°F

Buena Vista, VA

63 mi in

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

1 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

2h 27m 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 Hollymead, VA covers 125.5 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, I 64, 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 62.7 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 $19.63 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.