How far is Roanoke, VA from Colonial Beach, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Colonial Beach, VA is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 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
222.57 mi
04h 41m
Flight
176.27 mi
283.68 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
176.27 mi
Kilometers
283.68 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.57 mi
Kilometers
358.19 km
Drive Time
04h 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 04h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colonial Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Thu, Apr 23, 11:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-04-23T01:50
Arrive Colonial Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:36 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
Waverly
VA

Census-designated place in Wood County, West Virginia

From Roanoke
111.2 mi
02h 20m
To Colonial Beach
111.3 mi
02h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Colonial Beach.

  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 right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond

    55.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 208: Louisa, Ferncliff

    2024 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Courthouse Road

    8.8 mi · 13 min · Courthouse Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    834 ft · 21 sec · East Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Fredericksburg Avenue

    2075 ft · 1 min · Fredericksburg Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Bibb Store Road

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Bibb Store Road

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Goldmine Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Goldmine Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Mansfield Road

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Mansfield Road

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Zachary Taylor Highway

    90 m · 6 sec · Zachary Taylor Highway

  19. 19

    Turn right

    33 m · 3 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto New Bridge Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · New Bridge Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Courthouse Road

    12 mi · 16 min · Courthouse Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Lake Anna Parkway

    4 mi · 6 min · Lake Anna Parkway

  23. 23

    Continue on Courthouse Bypass

    1.5 km · 1 min · Courthouse Bypass

  24. 24

    Continue on Courthouse Road

    5.9 mi · 10 min · Courthouse Road

  25. 25

    Continue on Lafayette Boulevard

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Lafayette Boulevard

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lafayette Boulevard

    19 m · 1 sec · Lafayette Boulevard

  27. 27

    Exit the rotary onto Lafayette Boulevard

    774 ft · 26 sec · Lafayette Boulevard

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Blue and Gray Parkway

    19.4 mi · 28 min · Blue and Gray Parkway

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Ridge Road

    10.9 mi · 15 min · Ridge Road

  30. 30

    Continue on McKinney Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 3 min · McKinney Boulevard

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Colonial Avenue

    3168 ft · 2 min · Colonial Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Colonial Beach.

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
33 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
77.8 mi · 35%
I 64 East
55.7 mi · 25%
Courthouse Road
26.7 mi · 12%
Blue and Gray Parkway
19.4 mi · 9%
Ridge Road
10.9 mi · 5%
Bibb Store Road
5.88 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Continue straight

64.7 mi · 01h 10m

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
04h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.3 mi
176.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waverly
02h 20m from Roanoke
Leave By
7:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Roanoke and Sunny near Colonial Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Colonial Beach?

The road trip is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km) and usually takes 04h 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?

Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.2 miles from Roanoke and 111.3 miles from Colonial Beach.

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

The direct path is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.3 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 7:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.09 one way or $62.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Colonial Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Waverly

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

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

RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

14 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Staunton station

40 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Culpeper station

68 mi away
109 South Commerce Street
RAIL

Kemper Street station

91 mi away
825 Kemper St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Colonial Beach. Straight-line distance: 176.27 mi (283.68 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Colonial Beach

#2 Colonial Beach

Town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States

Population3,645
Coordinates38.2545700, -76.9635800
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Colonial Beach (-76.96358, 38.25457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.85 gal
29.73 L · about $31.09
Round trip
$62.19
15.7 gal · 59.46 L
Estimated CO2
69.8 kg one way
Round trip: 139.5 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $31.09 $62.19
Mid-grade $4.43 $34.77 $69.54
Premium $4.78 $37.51 $75.01
Diesel $5.62 $44.15 $88.30

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

There is no time difference between Roanoke and Colonial Beach. The current time is 01:50:23.

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.