How far is Roanoke, VA from Franklin, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Franklin, VA is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.9 miles (157.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
124.69 mi
02h 23m
Flight
97.85 mi
157.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roanoke.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.85 mi
Kilometers
157.47 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.69 mi
Kilometers
200.67 km
Drive Time
02h 23m

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 02h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Mon, Jun 1, 11:18 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Mon, Jun 1, 1:42 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-06-01T08:55
Arrive Franklin
Mon, Jun 1, 11:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roanoke
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Roanoke
62.3 mi
01h 11m
To Franklin
62.4 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 9 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Franklin.

  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

    37 mi · 41 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 250

    1244 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on US 250

    127 m · 13 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Richmond Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Richmond Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Stony Point Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Stony Point Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Cason Farm Road

    1198 ft · 53 sec · Cason Farm Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cason Farm Road

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
77.8 mi · 62%
I 64 East
37 mi · 30%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 5%
Richmond Road
1.73 mi · 1%
Stony Point Road
0.94 mi · 1%
US 250
0.31 mi
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 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.

Drive Time
02h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
97.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 11m from Roanoke
Leave By
1:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Partly Sunny near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Franklin?

The road trip is about 124.7 miles (200.7 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.3 miles from Roanoke and 62.4 miles from Franklin.

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

The direct path is about 97.9 miles (157.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 1:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.43 one way or $34.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Roanoke and Partly Sunny near Franklin.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

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

RAIL

Kemper Street station

40 mi away
825 Kemper St
RAIL

Clifton Forge

43 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street
RAIL

Staunton station

52 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
BUS

Roanoke

72 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 97.85 mi (157.47 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population7,833
Coordinates38.0431900, -78.4419500
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Franklin (-78.44195, 38.04319)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.4 gal
16.66 L · about $17.43
Round trip
$34.86
8.8 gal · 33.32 L
Estimated CO2
39.1 kg one way
Round trip: 78.2 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.43 $34.86
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.49 $38.98
Premium $4.78 $21.02 $42.05
Diesel $5.62 $24.75 $49.49

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Roanoke and Franklin. The current time is 08:55:00.

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.