How far is Roanoke, VA from Emporia, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Emporia, VA is about 177.1 miles (285 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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 04h 03m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Emporia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Emporia.
-
1
Start on the route
87 m · 26 sec
-
2
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
602 ft · 34 sec · 1st Street Southwest
-
3
Turn sharp left onto Franklin Road Southwest
1304 ft · 27 sec · Franklin Road Southwest
-
4
Turn left onto Williamson Road Southeast
990 ft · 36 sec · Williamson Road Southeast
-
5
Continue on Williamson Road Northeast
1009 ft · 37 sec · Williamson Road Northeast
-
6
Turn right onto Kimball Avenue Northeast
1.2 km · 1 min · Kimball Avenue Northeast
-
7
Turn right onto Orange Avenue Northeast
2.9 mi · 6 min · Orange Avenue Northeast
-
8
Continue on Challenger Avenue Northeast
1.9 mi · 3 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast
-
9
Continue on Blue Ridge Boulevard
5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard
-
10
Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 19 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
-
11
Continue on Blue Ridge Avenue
2951 ft · 42 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 460 East
89 mi · 1 hr 52 min
-
13
Keep slight right
7.4 mi · 12 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right
1640 ft · 45 sec
-
15
Turn right onto Old Nottoway Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Old Nottoway Road
-
16
Continue on Church Street
3036 ft · 1 min · Church Street
-
17
Turn right onto South Amelia Avenue
1107 ft · 36 sec · South Amelia Avenue
-
18
At the end of the road, turn left onto 4th Street
2732 ft · 1 min · 4th Street
-
19
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto Brunswick Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Brunswick Road
-
21
Continue on Christanna Highway
18.8 mi · 27 min · Christanna Highway
-
22
Continue on Windsor Avenue
2475 ft · 1 min · Windsor Avenue
-
23
Continue on West Church Street
993 ft · 41 sec · West Church Street
-
24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1737 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street
-
25
Continue on Lawrenceville Plank Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lawrenceville Plank Road
-
26
Take the ramp left
876 ft · 22 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto Governor Harrison Parkway
9.8 mi · 13 min · Governor Harrison Parkway
-
28
Continue on Pleasant Shade Drive
6.4 mi · 9 min · Pleasant Shade Drive
-
29
Continue on West Atlantic Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Atlantic Street
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward US 301: Emporia
1315 ft · 40 sec
-
31
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
-
32
Turn left onto Hicksford Avenue
27 m · 3 sec · Hicksford Avenue
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hicksford Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Emporia.
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
89 mi · 01h 52m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Sunny near Emporia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Emporia?
The road trip is about 177.1 miles (285 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Hampden Sydney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.5 miles from Roanoke and 88.6 miles from Emporia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 8:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.76 one way or $49.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Emporia.
Stop Ideas Near Hampden Sydney
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 Hampden Sydney.
Kemper Street station
Charlottesville Union Station
Petersburg station
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Emporia. Straight-line distance: 138.44 mi (222.8 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 Emporia
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 5,257 |
| Coordinates | 36.6859800, -77.5424800 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emporia (-77.54248, 36.68598)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.76 | $49.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.15 | $70.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.