The drive from Windsor, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 204.4 miles and takes about 3h 52m 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 120.3 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.96 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
102.2 miles from Windsor, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 204.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 52m highway drive covering 204.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.3 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 21 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 120.3 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 1.2 miles in near US 60; VA 33 / East Williamsburg Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 204.4 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 1.2 miles (US 60; VA 33 / East Williamsburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.2 mi into trip|~4m in|US 60; VA 33 / East Williamsburg Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; VA 33 / East Williamsburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 North, I 64 West: Washington, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North, I 64 West: Washington, Rich...
6
29.2 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
6
29.8 mi into trip|~38m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
8
197.7 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
120.3 mi
2h 10m
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
East Williamsburg Road
3.3 mi
4m
White Oak Road
0.5 mi
1m
Stockholm Drive
0.5 mi
1m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 120.3 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on Gaardahl Drive
256 ft·13 sec·Gaardahl Drive
2
Turn right onto Rasmussen Drive
506 ft·24 sec·Rasmussen Drive
3
Turn right onto Stockholm Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Stockholm Drive
4
Turn left onto White Oak Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Oak Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; VA 33
3.3 mi·4 min·East Williamsburg Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 295 North, I 64 West: Washington, Richmond
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
9
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
11
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
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
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 102.2 miles from Windsor, VA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.3 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.2 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, VA
This is one driving day of about 204.4 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Windsor, 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 120.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.2 mi from Windsor, VA
· 1h 57m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 204.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.96 one way
$63.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$34.95
$69.90
premium
$4.70
$37.83
$75.66
diesel
$5.61
$45.13
$90.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Efficient EV
51.1
0
$17.88
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.62
$13.08
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 15, 2026
Origin
Windsor, VA
Night
in Windsor on Friday
Local time
11:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Night
in Roanoke on Friday
Local time
11:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
7 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 52m 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 Windsor, VA to Roanoke, VA covers 204.4 miles and takes about 3h 52m 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 102.2 miles from Windsor, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.96 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 19 significant decision points across 204.4 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 1.2 miles (US 60; VA 33 / East Williamsburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Windsor, VA to Roanoke, 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.
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.
