How far is Forest, VA from Roanoke, VA?
The driving distance from Forest, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest and Roanoke.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest and Roanoke.
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1
Start on the route
29 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
32 m · 14 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Forest Road
12.9 mi · 19 min · Forest Road
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4
Turn left onto Independence Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Independence Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto East Main Street
102 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward US 460 West, VA 122 South
3.5 mi · 5 min
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7
Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 19 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
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8
Continue on Blue Ridge Boulevard
5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard
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9
Continue on Challenger Avenue Northeast
2 mi · 4 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast
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10
Continue on Orange Avenue Northeast
3.1 mi · 7 min · Orange Avenue Northeast
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11
Turn left onto Williamson Road Northeast
1.2 km · 2 min · Williamson Road Northeast
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12
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
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13
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
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14
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
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15
Turn left
35 m · 14 sec
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16
Turn left
40 m · 10 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest and Roanoke.
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.
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Forest and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Roanoke.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest to Roanoke?
The road trip is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Forest and 20.3 miles from Roanoke.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.94 one way or $11.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Forest and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Roanoke.
Stop Ideas Near Bedford
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 Bedford.
Kemper Street station
Roanoke
Clifton Forge
Blacksburg, VA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 36.38 mi (58.55 km).
#1 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.17 | $14.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $8.44 | $16.87 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.