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Trip from Roanoke, VA to Montrose, VA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

193.3 mi

311 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 27m ★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Montrose, VA, VA

Montrose, VA

César O'neill

Trip Overview

The drive from Roanoke, VA to Montrose, VA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 39m 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 106.1 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.23 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

96.6 miles from Roanoke, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 193.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 39m highway drive covering 193.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.1 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 18 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 106.1 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 0.9 miles in near US 220 BUS.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 193.3 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 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

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...
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
7
84.5 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 64 East: Richmond
9
187.6 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 75 Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk
7
190.6 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Take the exit toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 193A Toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 106.1 mi 1h 59m
I 81 64.7 mi 1h 9m
US 220 13.1 mi 15m
I 581 5.6 mi 7m
Masonic Lane 1.1 mi 1m
Nine Mile Road 1 mi 1m
Brittles Lane 0.4 mi <1m
Williamson Road Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 106.1 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Montrose, 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

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

103 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

3.1 mi · 4 min · I 64
Exit 75 Toward I 64 East: Williamsburg, Norfolk Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 193A Toward VA 33 West: Nine Mile Road Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn right onto VA 33

17 ft · 0 sec · Nine Mile Road
14

Continue on VA 33

1.0 mi · 1 min · Nine Mile Road
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto Masonic Lane

1.1 mi · 1 min · Masonic Lane
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on Brittles Lane

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Brittles Lane
17

Turn right onto Carlisle Avenue

283 ft · 9 sec · Carlisle Avenue
18

Arrive at destination

Carlisle Avenue

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 96.6 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 43 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 96.6 miles or 1h 49m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montrose, 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 193.3 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Roanoke, 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 106.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 96.6 mi from Roanoke, VA · 1h 49m into the drive

Downtown Waynesboro, VA, VA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesboro, VA

97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesboro, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.6 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 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.1 miles.

Arriving in Montrose, VA

The final approach into Montrose, 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 Montrose, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Booker T Washington National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
Petersburg National Battlefield

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 193.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.23 one way

$60.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $33.05 $66.10
premium $4.70 $35.78 $71.55
diesel $5.61 $42.68 $85.36

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: 67.6 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 0 $20.30 $9.28
Efficient EV 48.3 0 $16.91 $7.73
EV Truck/SUV 77.3 0 $27.06 $12.37

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 16, 2026

Origin

Roanoke, VA

Night in Roanoke on Thursday

Local time

10:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montrose, VA

Night in Montrose on Thursday

Local time

10:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°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

2 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 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 Montrose, VA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 39m 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 96.6 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 $30.23 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 193.3 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 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Roanoke, VA to Montrose, 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.

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