Trip from South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

241.2 mi

388 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 12m ★

6 AM

5h 25m

8 AM

5h 52m

10 AM

5h 34m

12 PM

5h 32m

3 PM

5h 36m

5 PM

5h 50m

8 PM

5h 17m

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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South Hill, VA

Wikimedia Commons

independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 241.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 460, Richmond Highway, New Cox Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.1 miles on US 460. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.72 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

120.6 miles from South Hill, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 241.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 460 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 241.2 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.3 miles (US 460): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

8.8 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway

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 13A-B Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...

20.3 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460: Petersburg

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 460: Petersburg

20.5 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery

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 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton...

76 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone

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

Use the right lane. Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...

82.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | US 460

Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

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 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between South Hill, VA and Roanoke, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.

Albert G Horton Junior Memorial

20.5 mi in | ~30m | via US 460

Veterans Cemetery

20.5 mi in | ~30m | via US 460

Blackstone

76 mi in | ~1h 53m | via US 460

Lynchburg

82.6 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 460

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 460	84.1 mi	1h 58m
Richmond Highway	31.1 mi	38m
New Cox Road	23 mi	26m
East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike	16 mi	20m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike	14.6 mi	18m
West Colonial Trail Highway	13.1 mi	16m
Portsmouth Boulevard	8.2 mi	10m
East Colonial Trail	7.5 mi	11m

Longest stretch: US 460 — 84.1 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Edgewood Avenue

0.2 mi · 50 sec · Edgewood Avenue

Turn left onto US 460; VA 166

1.2 mi · 1 min · Bainbridge Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right

319 ft · 11 sec

Turn straight onto US 460

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 460

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 64: Suffolk

Merge onto I 64

1.6 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Continue on I 664

1.0 mi · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

Exit 299B Toward I 664, US 13, US 58, US 460: Suffolk, Newport News, Richmond

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Exit 13A-B Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Military Highway

Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460

8.2 mi · 10 min · Portsmouth Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 460

Toward US 460: Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

50 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 460

Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto SR 630

1.9 mi · 3 min · Rives Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 95 North

Merge onto I 95

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 95

Take the exit onto US 460

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 460

Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 85; US 460

6.0 mi · 7 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Take the exit onto US 460

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 460

Exit 61 Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg Use the slight right lane.

Continue on US 460

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Street

Continue on US 460

23 mi · 26 min · New Cox Road

Continue on US 460

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Colonial Trail Highway

Continue on US 460

6.9 mi · 7 min · East Colonial Trail Road

Continue on US 460

7.5 mi · 11 min · East Colonial Trail

Merge onto US 360; US 460

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

12 mi · 14 min · West Colonial Trail Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 460

29 mi · 34 min · US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

31 mi · 38 min · Richmond Highway

Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg

Continue on US 460

16 mi · 20 min · East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 221; US 460

15 mi · 18 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike

Continue on US 221; US 460

5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard

Continue on US 221; US 460

2.0 mi · 3 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 221; US 460; US 220 Alternate

3.1 mi · 6 min · Orange Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto US 11; US 221

0.8 mi · 1 min · Williamson Road Northeast

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

477 ft · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street

Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

379 ft · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest

Turn left

115 ft · 13 sec

Turn left

132 ft · 9 sec

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 120.6 miles from South Hill, VA, or about 2h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 80 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.6 miles or 2h 47m 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 23m

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 South Hill, 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 South Hill, VA

This is one driving day of about 241.2 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Hill, 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 US 460 for about 84.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.6 mi from South Hill, VA · 2h 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middletown, MD

121 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

Middletown, 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 120.6 miles from South Hill, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 460 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.1 miles.

Arriving in Roanoke, VA

The final approach into Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, 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

$37.72 one way

$75.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$41.24	$82.48
premium	$4.70	$44.64	$89.28
diesel	$5.61	$53.25	$106.51

Estimated Tolls: $2.56

East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (16 mi) $1.12

West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (14.6 mi) $1.02

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (6 mi) $0.42

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.4	0	$25.33	$11.58
Efficient EV	60.3	0	$21.10	$9.65
EV Truck/SUV	96.5	1	$33.77	$15.44

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 1 day ago

Origin

South Hill, VA

Morning in South Hill on Wednesday

Local time

6:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Roanoke, VA

Morning in Roanoke on Wednesday

Local time

6:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Middletown, MD

121 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

11 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

5h 24m 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 South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 241.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 460, Richmond Highway, New Cox Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 120.6 miles from South Hill, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.72 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 South Hill, VA and Roanoke, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.

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Trip from South Hill, VA to Roanoke, VA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Roanoke, VA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Hill, VA

Roanoke, VA

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 24m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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