How far is Roanoke, VA from Chester, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Chester, VA is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m 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 32m.
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.
Town in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Chester.
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1
Start on the route
87 m · 26 sec
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2
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
602 ft · 34 sec · 1st Street Southwest
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3
Turn sharp left onto Franklin Road Southwest
1304 ft · 27 sec · Franklin Road Southwest
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4
Turn left onto Williamson Road Southeast
990 ft · 36 sec · Williamson Road Southeast
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5
Continue on Williamson Road Northeast
1009 ft · 37 sec · Williamson Road Northeast
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6
Turn right onto Kimball Avenue Northeast
1.2 km · 1 min · Kimball Avenue Northeast
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7
Turn right onto Orange Avenue Northeast
2.9 mi · 6 min · Orange Avenue Northeast
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8
Continue on Challenger Avenue Northeast
1.9 mi · 3 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast
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9
Continue on Blue Ridge Boulevard
5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard
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10
Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 19 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
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11
Continue on Blue Ridge Avenue
2951 ft · 42 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 460 East
79.8 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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13
Turn left onto Holly Farms Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Holly Farms Road
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14
Turn left onto Patrick Henry Highway
17.2 mi · 22 min · Patrick Henry Highway
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15
Continue on Hull Street Road
13.7 mi · 20 min · Hull Street Road
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16
Turn right onto Commonwealth Centre Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · Commonwealth Centre Parkway
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17
Take the ramp straight
19 m · 2 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on VA 288 South
1577 ft · 40 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
9.6 mi · 11 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward VA 145: Chester Road, Chester
1052 ft · 26 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on VA 145 West: Chester Road, Chester
153 m · 12 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Chester Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Chester Road
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23
Continue on Winfree Street
82 m · 12 sec · Winfree Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Winfree Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Chester.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 460 East
Keep slight right to continue on US 460 East
79.8 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Cloudy near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Chester?
The road trip is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Appomattox is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.1 miles from Roanoke and 80.3 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 9:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.95 one way or $47.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Roanoke and Cloudy near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Appomattox
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 Appomattox.
Kemper Street station
Charlottesville Union Station
Staunton station
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Chester. Straight-line distance: 137.49 mi (221.27 km).
#1 Roanoke
The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.
| Population | 99,058 |
| Coordinates | 37.2709700, -79.9414300 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chester
Chester is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3568200, -77.4416500 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-77.44165, 37.35682)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.23 | $23.95 | $47.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $26.70 | $53.40 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $28.84 | $57.69 |
| Diesel | $6.39 | $36.14 | $72.28 |
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 · Sep 24, 2026