Trip from Roanoke, VA to South Hill, VA

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

285 mi

459 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 16m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 56m

10 AM

5h 39m

12 PM

5h 36m

3 PM

5h 40m

5 PM

5h 55m

8 PM

5h 22m

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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Roanoke, VA

Kelly

South Hill, VA

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Trip Overview

The drive from Roanoke, VA to South Hill, VA covers 285 miles and takes about 5h 29m 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 156.9 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.61 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

142.5 miles from Roanoke, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 29m highway drive covering 285 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 156.9 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 39 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 156.9 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 6.7 miles in near US 220.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 285 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 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

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

174.5 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk

198.6 mi into trip | ~3h 40m in

Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

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 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

274.9 mi into trip | ~5h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Cr...

282.7 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward VA 337 Toll: Poindexter Street, Jordan Bridge

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward VA 337 Toll: Poindexter Street, Jordan B...

Towns Along This Route

Between Roanoke, VA and South Hill, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Norfolk

174.5 mi in | ~3h 14m

Virginia Beach

198.6 mi in | ~3h 40m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	156.9 mi	2h 53m
I 81	64.7 mi	1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway	22.9 mi	25m
US 220	13.1 mi	15m
I 581	5.6 mi	7m
Hampton Roads Beltway	4.5 mi	6m
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel	3.5 mi	4m
Granby Street	3.1 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and South Hill, 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

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 64

Toward I 64 East: Richmond Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 177 Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 295

23 mi · 25 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28A Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 64

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 64

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60

342 ft · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 64; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Continue on I 64; US 60

4.4 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Exit 276 Toward I 564, US 460: Naval Base, Granby Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward US 460, VA 165: Granby Street, Little Creek Road Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 460

3.1 mi · 7 min · Granby Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 460

446 ft · 9 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto US 460

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 460

0.6 mi · 1 min · Saint Pauls Boulevard

Turn left onto US 460 ALT

302 ft · 11 sec · Market Street

Toward I 264 Toll West Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460 ALT

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 460 ALT

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337

Take the exit onto VA 337

255 ft · 6 sec · VA 337

Exit 8 Toward I 464 South: Chesapeake Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 464 South: Chesapeake Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · this road

Continue on I 464

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 464

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec

Exit 4 Toward VA 337: Poindexter Street, Jordan Bridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 8 sec

Exit 4 Toward VA 337 Toll: Poindexter Street, Jordan Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

354 ft · 5 sec

Exit 4 Toward VA 337: Poindexter Street, Jordan Bridge

Continue on Truxton Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Truxton Street

Turn left onto VA 337

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Poindexter Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn straight

442 ft · 16 sec

Turn slight right onto US 460; VA1 166

1.5 mi · 2 min · Bainbridge Boulevard

Turn left onto Edgewood Avenue

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Edgewood Avenue

Arrive at destination

Edgewood 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 142.5 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.5 miles or 2h 39m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Hill, 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 285 miles and 5h 29m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 156.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142.5 mi from Roanoke, VA · 2h 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

143 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

Oakland, MD

Fuel and coffee

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

Middletown, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.5 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 156.9 miles.

Arriving in South Hill, VA

The final approach into South Hill, 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 South Hill, 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.

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 265.4

Park Closure: Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact

View on nps.gov

Colonial National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour $15 near mile 245.7

View on nps.gov

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

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 196.6

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.61 one way

$91.22 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$49.70	$99.39
premium	$4.78	$53.61	$107.22
diesel	$5.64	$63.32	$126.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.5	1	$29.92	$13.68
Efficient EV	71.3	0	$24.94	$11.40
EV Truck/SUV	114	1	$39.90	$18.24

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 6 hours ago

Origin

Roanoke, VA

Afternoon in Roanoke on Monday

Local time

3:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Hill, VA

Afternoon in South Hill on Monday

Local time

3:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Middletown, MD

143 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

41 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

5h 29m 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 Roanoke, VA to South Hill, VA covers 285 miles and takes about 5h 29m 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 142.5 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 $45.61 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.

Between Roanoke, VA and South Hill, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

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Return Trip

South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA

Plan the drive back the other way.

241.2 mi 5h 24m

Explore more options from Roanoke, VA or browse trips ending in South Hill, VA.

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Trip from Roanoke, VA to South Hill, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in South Hill, VA

National Parks Near This Route

Fort Monroe National Monument

Colonial National Historical Park

Booker T Washington National Monument

Petersburg National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Roanoke, VA

South Hill, VA

Same local time

41 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 29m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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