How far is Charlottesville, VA from Roanoke, VA?

The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 120.6 miles (194.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 95.8 miles (154.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m 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
120.63 mi
01h 53m
Flight
95.73 mi
154.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlottesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
95.73 mi
Kilometers
154.07 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.63 mi
Kilometers
194.13 km
Drive Time
01h 53m

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 01h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roanoke
Wed, May 13, 11:49 AM EDT
Return by in Charlottesville
Wed, May 13, 1:42 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlottesville
2026-05-13T09:56
Arrive Roanoke
Wed, May 13, 11:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlottesville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Charlottesville
60.3 mi
00h 56m
To Roanoke
60.3 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Roanoke.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    71 m · 19 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    75 m · 15 sec · East Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 9th Street Northeast

    55 m · 6 sec · 9th Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on 9th Street Southeast

    669 ft · 11 sec · 9th Street Southeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Avon Street

    1400 ft · 54 sec · Avon Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Monticello Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Monticello Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    1818 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    64.4 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    47.7 mi · 52 min

  10. 10

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

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

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

    587 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    1668 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

    849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

    115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest

  16. 16

    Turn left

    35 m · 14 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Monticello Avenue
113 mi · 94%
I 581
5.88 mi · 5%
US 11 South
0.43 mi
Avon Street
0.27 mi
Salem Avenue Southeast
0.16 mi
9th Street Southeast
0.13 mi
Longest Stretch

Monticello Avenue

Merge slight left

64.4 mi · 01h 10m

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
01h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.8 mi
95.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
00h 56m from Charlottesville
Leave By
2:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Roanoke.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlottesville to Roanoke?

The road trip is about 120.6 miles (194.1 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.3 miles from Charlottesville and 60.3 miles from Roanoke.

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

The direct path is about 95.8 miles (154.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 2:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.87 one way or $33.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Charlottesville and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Roanoke.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista.

RAIL

Kemper Street station

40 mi away
825 Kemper St
RAIL

Clifton Forge

43 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street
RAIL

Staunton station

52 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
BUS

Roanoke

72 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 95.73 mi (154.07 km).

Charlottesville

#1 Charlottesville

The capital of Virginia.

Population46,950
Coordinates38.0293100, -78.4766800
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Roanoke

#2 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
End: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 194 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.26 gal
16.11 L · about $16.87
Round trip
$33.75
8.52 gal · 32.22 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.7 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $16.87 $33.75
Mid-grade $4.43 $18.87 $37.74
Premium $4.78 $20.35 $40.71
Diesel $5.62 $23.96 $47.92

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlottesville and Roanoke. The current time is 09:56:13.

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.