The drive from Staunton, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, I 64, US 220 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.7 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.57 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.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Staunton, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 86.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.7 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 47.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street
Turn right onto US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street
Navigation decision point
6
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West, I 81 South: Roanoke, Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, I 81 South: Roanoke, Charlest...
6
32.4 mi into trip|~37m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5
86 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 220 BUS
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Down...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
I 64
28.8 mi
31m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
Greenville Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
Lee Jackson Highway
0.7 mi
1m
Woodrow Wilson Parkway
0.5 mi
<1m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 47.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Staunton, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on this road
150 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 11 BUS; US 250
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Augusta Street
3
Turn left onto US 11 BUS; US 250
308 ft·12 sec·East Johnson Street
4
Continue on US 11 BUS; US 250
0.2 mi·16 sec·Greenville Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto US 11 Bus
158 ft·5 sec·US 11 Bus
6
Turn slight right onto US 11; US 250
1.5 mi·2 min·Greenville Avenue
7
Continue on US 11
0.7 mi·1 min·Lee Jackson Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
9
Merge onto VA 262
0.5 mi·38 sec·Woodrow Wilson Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 64 West, I 81 South: Roanoke, Charleston
11
Merge onto I 64; I 81
29 mi·31 min·I 64; I 81
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
48 mi·52 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi·8 min·US 220
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
16
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
17
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
18
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
19
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
20
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
21
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 43.4 miles from Staunton, VA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.7 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 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 1h 22m
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 Staunton, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Staunton, VA
This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Staunton, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 47.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.4 mi from Staunton, VA
· 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Staunton, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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
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
near mile 86.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.57 one way
$27.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.84
$29.68
premium
$4.70
$16.06
$32.13
diesel
$5.61
$19.16
$38.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.17
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Staunton, VA
Morning
in Staunton on Friday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Morning
in Roanoke on Friday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Buena Vista, VA
43 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
5 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
1h 40m 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 Staunton, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m 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 43.4 miles from Staunton, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.57 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 86.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (US 11 BUS; US 250 / North Augusta Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Staunton, VA to Roanoke, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
