How far is Buena Vista, VA from Roanoke, VA?

The driving distance from Buena Vista, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 55.9 miles (89.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
55.87 mi
00h 56m
Flight
45.41 mi
73.08 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buena Vista.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.41 mi
Kilometers
73.08 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.87 mi
Kilometers
89.91 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 00h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roanoke
Fri, Apr 17, 4:03 AM EDT
Return by in Buena Vista
Fri, Apr 17, 5:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buena Vista
2026-04-17T03:06
Arrive Roanoke
Fri, Apr 17, 4:03 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buena Vista
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Buchanan
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Buena Vista
27.9 mi
00h 28m
To Roanoke
28 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W
Destination
85°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Roanoke.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Roanoke.

  1. 1

    Start on East 21st Street

    135 m · 24 sec · East 21st Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Sycamore Avenue

    147 m · 6 sec · Sycamore Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Beech Avenue

    2457 ft · 42 sec · Beech Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West 29th Street

    1 km · 43 sec · West 29th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on East Midland Trail

    3.1 mi · 4 min · East Midland Trail

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left

    1614 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    44.5 mi · 49 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown

    587 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1668 ft · 56 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

    849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

    115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest

  14. 14

    Turn left

    35 m · 14 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Roanoke.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Midland Trail
47.9 mi · 86%
I 581
5.88 mi · 11%
West 29th Street
0.63 mi · 1%
Beech Avenue
0.47 mi · 1%
US 11 South
0.43 mi · 1%
Salem Avenue Southeast
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

East Midland Trail

Merge slight left

44.5 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
45.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buchanan
00h 28m from Buena Vista
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Buena Vista and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Roanoke.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Roanoke?

The road trip is about 55.9 miles (89.9 km) and usually takes 00h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Buchanan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.9 miles from Buena Vista and 28 miles from Roanoke.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.80 one way or $15.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Buena Vista and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Roanoke.

Stop Ideas Near Buchanan

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buchanan, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buchanan.

RAIL

Clifton Forge

35 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street
BUS

Roanoke

36 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE
RAIL

Kemper Street station

48 mi away
825 Kemper St
RAIL

White Sulphur Springs

62 mi away
315 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 45.41 mi (73.08 km).

Buena Vista

#1 Buena Vista

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population6,402
Coordinates37.7343000, -79.3539200
Altitude255
CountryUnited States
Roanoke

#2 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: East 21st Street (-79.353899, 37.734349)
End: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.97 gal
7.46 L · about $7.80
Round trip
$15.61
3.94 gal · 14.92 L
Estimated CO2
17.5 kg one way
Round trip: 35 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.80 $15.61
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.73 $17.45
Premium $4.78 $9.41 $18.83
Diesel $5.62 $11.08 $22.16

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

There is no time difference between Buena Vista and Roanoke. The current time is 03:06:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.