How far is Roanoke, VA from Apple Mountain Lake, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Apple Mountain Lake, VA is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m 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
177.63 mi
03h 20m
Flight
151.84 mi
244.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roanoke.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.84 mi
Kilometers
244.37 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.63 mi
Kilometers
285.86 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apple Mountain Lake
Wed, Apr 15, 6:10 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Wed, Apr 15, 9:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-04-15T02:49
Arrive Apple Mountain Lake
Wed, Apr 15, 6:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 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
10:18 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roanoke
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Staunton
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Roanoke
88.8 mi
01h 40m
To Apple Mountain Lake
88.8 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph W
Destination
92°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Apple Mountain Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Apple Mountain Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    87 m · 26 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

    602 ft · 34 sec · 1st Street Southwest

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto Franklin Road Southwest

    1304 ft · 27 sec · Franklin Road Southwest

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Williamson Road Southeast

    990 ft · 36 sec · Williamson Road Southeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Williamson Road Northeast

    1625 ft · 49 sec · Williamson Road Northeast

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol

    878 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington

    13.1 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington

    1920 ft · 47 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    12.7 mi · 14 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 79: Linden

    1328 ft · 41 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Apple Mountain Road

    1190 ft · 36 sec · Apple Mountain Road

  15. 15

    Continue on McIntosh Drive

    2231 ft · 2 min · McIntosh Drive

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Granny Smith Road

    70 m · 13 sec · Granny Smith Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Northern Spy Drive

    1229 ft · 54 sec · Northern Spy Drive

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northern Spy Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Apple Mountain Lake.

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
157 mi · 88%
I 66 East
13.1 mi · 7%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 3%
McIntosh Drive
0.42 mi
Williamson Road Northeast
0.31 mi
VA 79
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Keep slight left

78.9 mi · 01h 26m

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 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.7 mi
151.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Staunton
01h 40m from Roanoke
Leave By
10:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Mostly Sunny near Apple Mountain Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Apple Mountain Lake?

The road trip is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Staunton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.8 miles from Roanoke and 88.8 miles from Apple Mountain Lake.

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

The direct path is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 10:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.84 one way or $49.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Roanoke and Mostly Sunny near Apple Mountain Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Staunton

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

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

RAIL

Staunton station

1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

53 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Clifton Forge

77 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street
RAIL

Kemper Street station

83 mi away
825 Kemper St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Apple Mountain Lake. Straight-line distance: 151.84 mi (244.37 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Apple Mountain Lake

Apple Mountain Lake is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.9242800, -78.1013900
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Apple Mountain Lake (-78.10139, 38.92428)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.27 gal
23.73 L · about $24.84
Round trip
$49.67
12.54 gal · 47.46 L
Estimated CO2
55.7 kg one way
Round trip: 111.4 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.84 $49.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.77 $55.54
Premium $4.78 $29.96 $59.92
Diesel $5.62 $35.26 $70.52

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Roanoke and Apple Mountain Lake. The current time is 02:49:52.

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.