How far is Roanoke, VA from Gate City, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Gate City, VA is about 173.1 miles (278.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.2 miles (244.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m 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 20m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Gate City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Gate City.
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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
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 left to continue on I 81 South: Salem, Bristol
2487 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight right
69.1 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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10
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 11W South: Kingsport
1616 ft · 46 sec
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13
Merge slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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14
Turn right onto Ollis Bowers Hill Road
109 m · 22 sec · Ollis Bowers Hill Road
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15
Turn left onto Bloomingdale Pike
5.1 mi · 9 min · Bloomingdale Pike
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16
Turn right onto North John B Dennis Highway
778 ft · 14 sec · North John B Dennis Highway
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17
Continue on Wadlow Gap Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · Wadlow Gap Highway
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18
Turn right onto Main Street
1352 ft · 27 sec · Main Street
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19
Continue on US Highway 23
1.2 km · 1 min · US Highway 23
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20
Turn slight right onto Kane Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Kane Street
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21
Turn left onto West Jackson Street
624 ft · 23 sec · West Jackson Street
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22
Turn right onto Mianville Road
22 m · 7 sec · Mianville Road
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23
Turn left
15 m · 3 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Gate City.
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 South
Keep slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 19m
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 Gate City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Gate City?
The road trip is about 173.1 miles (278.6 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Rural Retreat is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Roanoke and 86.7 miles from Gate City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.2 miles (244.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.20 one way or $48.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Gate City.
Stop Ideas Near Rural Retreat
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 Rural Retreat.
Blacksburg, VA
Hinton
Alderson
Prince
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Gate City. Straight-line distance: 152.16 mi (244.87 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 Gate City
Town in Virginia
| Population | 1,867 |
| Coordinates | 36.6378800, -82.5809900 |
| Altitude | 408 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gate City (-82.58099, 36.63788)
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 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 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 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.06 | $54.12 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.19 | $58.39 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.36 | $68.73 |
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.