How far is Roanoke, VA from Forest, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Forest, VA is about 44.7 miles (72 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Bedford County, Virginia, United States
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 Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Forest.
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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
2.8 mi · 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 460 Business, VA 122
914 ft · 29 sec
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14
Turn left onto East Main Street
716 ft · 15 sec · East Main Street
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15
Turn right onto Independence Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Independence Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto Forest Road
12.9 mi · 19 min · Forest Road
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17
Turn right
30 m · 11 sec
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18
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Forest.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
Continue on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Roanoke and Sunny near Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Forest?
The road trip is about 44.7 miles (72 km) and usually takes 01h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Roanoke and 22.4 miles from Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.26 one way or $12.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Bedford
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 Bedford.
Kemper Street station
Roanoke
Clifton Forge
Blacksburg, VA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Forest. Straight-line distance: 36.38 mi (58.55 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 Forest
Census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 9,106 |
| Coordinates | 37.3637500, -79.2897500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest (-79.28975, 37.36375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $6.26 | $12.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.55 | $15.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $8.89 | $17.77 |
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.