How far is Reston, VA from Roanoke, VA?
The driving distance from Reston, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 231.8 miles (373 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.7 miles (295.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reston and Roanoke.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reston and Roanoke.
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1
Start on Washington Plaza North
70 m · 20 sec · Washington Plaza North
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2
Turn right onto North Shore Drive
157 m · 18 sec · North Shore Drive
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3
Turn left onto Village Road
104 m · 17 sec · Village Road
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4
Turn left onto Baron Cameron Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Baron Cameron Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight
1749 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Fairfax County Parkway
8.5 mi · 13 min · Fairfax County Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Front Royal
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
54.6 mi · 1 hr
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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11
Keep slight left
47.7 mi · 52 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5.9 mi · 8 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
587 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight left
1668 ft · 56 sec
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15
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
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16
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
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17
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
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18
Turn left
35 m · 14 sec
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19
Turn left
40 m · 10 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reston 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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Reston 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 Reston to Roanoke?
The road trip is about 231.8 miles (373 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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 114.6 miles from Reston and 117.2 miles from Roanoke.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.7 miles (295.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Reston and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Roanoke.
Stop Ideas Near Harrisonburg
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 Harrisonburg.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reston and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 183.66 mi (295.58 km).
#1 Reston
Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 58,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9687200, -77.3411000 |
| Altitude | 100 |
| 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: 373 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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 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.