How far is Roanoke, VA from Gainesville, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Gainesville, VA is about 207.6 miles (334.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 52m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Gainesville.
-
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
1625 ft · 49 sec · Williamson Road Northeast
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol
878 ft · 36 sec
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7
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 8 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
13.1 mi · 15 min
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9
Continue straight
64.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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12
Continue straight
42 mi · 45 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Gainesville
1099 ft · 27 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville
2040 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
3143 ft · 53 sec · Lee Highway
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17
Turn right onto McGraws Corner Drive
118 m · 19 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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18
Continue on McGraws Corner Drive
139 m · 23 sec · McGraws Corner Drive
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19
Turn left onto Lee Highway
1693 ft · 40 sec · Lee Highway
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Gainesville.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 207.6 miles (334.1 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Mount Crawford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.8 miles from Roanoke and 103.8 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.9 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:16 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.84 one way or $57.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Roanoke and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Crawford
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 Mount Crawford.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 164.74 mi (265.12 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 Gainesville
Gainesville is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.7956700, -77.6138800 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gainesville (-77.61388, 38.79567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 334 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $28.84 | $57.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $32.46 | $64.91 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $35.45 | $70.90 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $45.49 | $90.98 |
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 · Nov 05, 2026