How far is Front Royal, VA from Roanoke, VA?
The driving distance from Front Royal, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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 02h 48m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Front Royal and Roanoke.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Front Royal and Roanoke.
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1
Start on the route
71 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto Lee Street
24 m · 4 sec · Lee Street
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3
Turn slight right onto Luray Avenue
26 m · 4 sec · Luray Avenue
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4
Turn right onto West Main Street
107 m · 18 sec · West Main Street
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5
Turn left onto North Royal Avenue
2996 ft · 2 min · North Royal Avenue
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6
Turn left onto West 6th Street
141 m · 9 sec · West 6th Street
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Kendrick Lane
1123 ft · 25 sec · Kendrick Lane
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8
Turn right onto North Shenandoah Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Shenandoah Avenue
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9
Continue on Winchester Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Winchester Road
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10
Take the exit slight right
1744 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 7 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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14
Keep slight left
47.7 mi · 52 min
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5.9 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
587 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight left
1668 ft · 56 sec
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18
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
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19
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
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20
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
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21
Turn left
35 m · 14 sec
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22
Turn left
40 m · 10 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Front Royal 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 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.
Sunny leaving Front Royal and Sunny near Roanoke.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Front Royal to Roanoke?
The road trip is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Staunton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Front Royal and 86.9 miles from Roanoke.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 12:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Front Royal and Sunny near Roanoke.
Stop Ideas Near Staunton
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 Staunton.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Front Royal and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 148.24 mi (238.57 km).
#1 Front Royal
Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 15,389 |
| Coordinates | 38.9181700, -78.1944400 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.