How far is Roanoke, VA from Front Royal, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Front Royal, VA is about 173.4 miles (279.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Independent city in 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 Front Royal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Front Royal.
-
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
1625 ft · 49 sec · Williamson Road Northeast
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol
878 ft · 36 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 8 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
13.1 mi · 15 min
-
9
Continue straight
64.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
10
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
-
12
Continue straight
6.3 mi · 7 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 340, US 522: Winchester, Front Royal
613 ft · 15 sec
-
14
Keep slight right
559 ft · 14 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto Winchester Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Winchester Road
-
16
Continue on North Shenandoah Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Shenandoah Avenue
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kendrick Lane
1123 ft · 22 sec · Kendrick Lane
-
18
Continue on West 6th Street
141 m · 13 sec · West 6th Street
-
19
Turn right onto North Royal Avenue
2996 ft · 2 min · North Royal Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto West Main Street
79 m · 14 sec · West Main Street
-
21
Turn left
9 m · 2 sec
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Front Royal.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Sunny leaving Roanoke and Sunny near Front Royal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Front Royal?
The road trip is about 173.4 miles (279.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Staunton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Roanoke and 86.7 miles from Front Royal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.24 one way or $48.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Front Royal.
Stop Ideas Near Staunton
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 Staunton.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Front Royal. Straight-line distance: 148.24 mi (238.57 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 Front Royal
Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States
| Population | 15,389 |
| Coordinates | 38.9181700, -78.1944400 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Royal (-78.19444, 38.91817)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.11 | $54.21 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.42 | $68.84 |
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.