How far is East Lexington, VA from Roanoke, VA?

The driving distance from East Lexington, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 55.8 miles (89.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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
55.83 mi
00h 52m
Flight
45.83 mi
73.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Lexington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.83 mi
Kilometers
73.75 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.83 mi
Kilometers
89.85 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roanoke
Fri, Nov 6, 6:50 PM EST
Return by in East Lexington
Fri, Nov 6, 7:42 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Lexington
2026-11-06T17:58
Arrive Roanoke
Fri, Nov 6, 6:50 PM EST
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM EST

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

Leave by
4:46 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Lexington
9:30 PM EST
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 East Lexington
27.9 mi
00h 26m
To Roanoke
27.9 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 10:00 AM EST
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
73°F
Today

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM EST
Wind
5 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Lexington and Roanoke.

  1. 1

    Start on Old Buena Vista Road

    59 m · 12 sec · Old Buena Vista Road

  2. 2

    Turn sharp right onto North Lee Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Lee Highway

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1462 ft · 36 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    2134 ft · 26 sec

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Roanoke

    2924 ft · 50 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    47.1 mi · 52 min

  7. 7

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

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

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

    587 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1668 ft · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

    849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

    115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn left

    35 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 South
47.7 mi · 85%
I 581
5.88 mi · 11%
North Lee Highway
1.45 mi · 3%
US 11 South
0.43 mi · 1%
Salem Avenue Southeast
0.16 mi
South Jefferson Street
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 South

Merge slight left

47.1 mi · 00h 52m

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 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
45.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buchanan
00h 26m from East Lexington
Leave By
4:46 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving East Lexington and Patchy Fog 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 East Lexington to Roanoke?

The road trip is about 55.8 miles (89.8 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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 East Lexington and 27.9 miles from Roanoke.

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

The direct path is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.72 one way or $15.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around East Lexington and Patchy Fog 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 East Lexington and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 45.83 mi (73.75 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Lexington

East Lexington is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates37.7929100, -79.4253200
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Roanoke

#2 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: Old Buena Vista Road (-79.425339, 37.792847)
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 06m
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 $7.72
Round trip
$15.43
3.94 gal · 14.92 L
Estimated CO2
17.5 kg one way
Round trip: 35 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.92 $7.72 $15.43
Mid-grade $4.41 $8.70 $17.39
Premium $4.82 $9.50 $18.99
Diesel $6.20 $12.21 $24.41

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between East Lexington and Roanoke. The current time is 17:58:52.

Distance to Other Cities

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