How far is Roanoke, VA from Grottoes, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Grottoes, VA is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m 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
104.73 mi
02h 02m
Flight
91.93 mi
147.95 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
91.93 mi
Kilometers
147.95 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.73 mi
Kilometers
168.54 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grottoes
Thu, Apr 23, 7:10 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Thu, Apr 23, 9:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-04-23T05:08
Arrive Grottoes
Thu, Apr 23, 7:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:26 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Roanoke
52.4 mi
01h 01m
To Grottoes
52.4 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left

    13.6 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 256: Weyers Cave, Grottoes

    1170 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Weyers Cave Road

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Weyers Cave Road

  13. 13

    Continue on 3rd Street

    2233 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Dogwood Avenue

    1629 ft · 35 sec · Dogwood Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    24 m · 4 sec · 8th Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
91.5 mi · 87%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 6%
Weyers Cave Road
5.61 mi · 5%
3rd Street
0.42 mi
Dogwood Avenue
0.31 mi
Williamson Road Northeast
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 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
91.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 01m from Roanoke
Leave By
2:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Roanoke and Sunny near Grottoes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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 52.4 miles from Roanoke and 52.4 miles from Grottoes.

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

The direct path is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 2:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.66 one way or $29.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roanoke and Sunny near Grottoes.

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 Grottoes. Straight-line distance: 91.93 mi (147.95 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

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

#2 Grottoes

City in Virginia, United States of America

Population2,864
Coordinates38.2673500, -78.8258600
Altitude339
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Grottoes (-78.82586, 38.26735)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.7 gal
13.99 L · about $14.66
Round trip
$29.31
7.4 gal · 27.98 L
Estimated CO2
32.9 kg one way
Round trip: 65.8 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.66 $29.31
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.39 $32.77
Premium $4.78 $17.68 $35.36
Diesel $5.62 $20.81 $41.62

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

There is no time difference between Roanoke and Grottoes. The current time is 05:08:18.

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.