How far is Alexandria, VA from Roanoke, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.8 miles (305.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Road in Manhattan, New York City
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Roanoke.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Roanoke.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
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3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
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4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
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7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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18
Keep slight left
47.7 mi · 52 min
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19
Take the exit slight left toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5.9 mi · 8 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
587 ft · 17 sec
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21
Keep slight left
1668 ft · 56 sec
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22
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
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23
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
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24
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
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25
Turn left
35 m · 14 sec
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26
Turn left
40 m · 10 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Roanoke.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
109 mi · 01h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Alexandria and Mostly Cloudy near Roanoke.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Roanoke?
The road trip is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km) and usually takes 03h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Broadway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122 miles from Alexandria and 122.9 miles from Roanoke.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.8 miles (305.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.22 one way or $68.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Alexandria and Mostly Cloudy near Roanoke.
Stop Ideas Near Broadway
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Broadway.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Cumberland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 189.84 mi (305.51 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Roanoke
The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.
| Population | 99,058 |
| Coordinates | 37.2709700, -79.9414300 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.22 | $68.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.27 | $76.53 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.28 | $82.56 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.59 | $97.18 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.