How far is Merrifield, VA from Roanoke, VA?

The driving distance from Merrifield, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 232 miles (373.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 184.5 miles (297 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
231.93 mi
03h 41m
Flight
184.57 mi
297.04 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Merrifield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
184.57 mi
Kilometers
297.04 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
231.93 mi
Kilometers
373.25 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 03h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roanoke
Sat, Apr 18, 10:38 AM EDT
Return by in Merrifield
Sat, Apr 18, 2:19 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Merrifield
2026-04-18T06:56
Arrive Roanoke
Sat, Apr 18, 10:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:36 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Merrifield
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Harrisonburg
VA

The most populous city in Virginia.

From Merrifield
114.1 mi
01h 50m
To Roanoke
117.8 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SE
Destination
89°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gallows Road

    28 m · 4 sec · Gallows Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Route 29

    2 mi · 4 min · Route 29

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Nutley Street

    1397 ft · 38 sec · Nutley Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Nutley Street

    1444 ft · 35 sec · Nutley Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 66 West: Front Royal

    1.1 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 66 West

    847 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    61.2 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke

    108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    47.7 mi · 52 min

  11. 11

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

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  12. 12

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

    587 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1668 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast

    849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest

    115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest

  17. 17

    Turn left

    35 m · 14 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrifield 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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 South
157 mi · 68%
I 66 West
62.1 mi · 27%
I 581
5.88 mi · 3%
Route 29
1.98 mi · 1%
Nutley Street
0.54 mi
US 11 South
0.43 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.5 mi
184.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Harrisonburg
01h 50m from Merrifield
Leave By
9:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Merrifield and Mostly Sunny near Roanoke.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 232 miles (373.3 km) and usually takes 03h 41m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Harrisonburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.1 miles from Merrifield and 117.8 miles from Roanoke.

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

The direct path is about 184.5 miles (297 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.40 one way or $64.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Merrifield and Mostly Sunny near Roanoke.

Stop Ideas Near Harrisonburg

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

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

RAIL

Staunton station

38 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

57 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Culpeper station

76 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Clifton Forge

110 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Merrifield and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 184.57 mi (297.04 km).

Merrifield

#1 Merrifield

Census designated place

Population15,212
Coordinates38.8742800, -77.2269300
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Roanoke

#2 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: Gallows Road (-77.226919, 38.874279)
End: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 373 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.18 gal
30.98 L · about $32.40
Round trip
$64.80
16.36 gal · 61.96 L
Estimated CO2
72.7 kg one way
Round trip: 145.4 kg / 321 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $32.40 $64.80
Mid-grade $4.43 $36.23 $72.46
Premium $4.78 $39.08 $78.17
Diesel $5.62 $46.00 $92.01

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Merrifield and Roanoke. The current time is 06:56:26.

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.