How far is Roanoke, VA from Lake Monticello, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Lake Monticello, VA is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.8 miles (159 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
131.47 mi
02h 35m
Flight
98.83 mi
159.05 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
98.83 mi
Kilometers
159.05 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.47 mi
Kilometers
211.58 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Monticello
Mon, Jun 1, 6:53 PM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Mon, Jun 1, 9:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-06-01T16:18
Arrive Lake Monticello
Mon, Jun 1, 6:53 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:18 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
65.7 mi
01h 17m
To Lake Monticello
65.7 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
6 mph N
Destination
81°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Lake Monticello.

  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

    34.3 mi · 38 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 20 South: Scottsville

    1651 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Scottsville Road

    1291 ft · 32 sec · Scottsville Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Thomas Jefferson Parkway

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Thomas Jefferson Parkway

  14. 14

    Continue on Thomas Jefferson Parkway

    1354 ft · 26 sec · Thomas Jefferson Parkway

  15. 15

    Continue on Thomas Jefferson Parkway

    7.2 mi · 11 min · Thomas Jefferson Parkway

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Thomas Jefferson Parkway

    6 m · 1 sec · Thomas Jefferson Parkway

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Thomas Jefferson Parkway

    2225 ft · 47 sec · Thomas Jefferson Parkway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Monish Drive

    58 m · 8 sec · Monish Drive

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Jefferson Drive

    1.3 km · 3 min · Jefferson Drive

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Briarwood Road

    535 ft · 19 sec · Briarwood Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Blackwood Lane

    129 m · 16 sec · Blackwood Lane

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Sherwood Drive

    1383 ft · 47 sec · Sherwood Drive

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sherwood Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
77.8 mi · 59%
I 64 East
34.3 mi · 26%
Thomas Jefferson Parkway
10.8 mi · 8%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 4%
Jefferson Drive
0.82 mi · 1%
VA 20 South
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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.7 mi
98.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 17m from Roanoke
Leave By
1:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Roanoke and Mostly Sunny near Lake Monticello.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Lake Monticello?

The road trip is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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 65.7 miles from Roanoke and 65.7 miles from Lake Monticello.

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

The direct path is about 98.8 miles (159 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 1:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.38 one way or $36.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Roanoke and Mostly Sunny near Lake Monticello.

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 Lake Monticello. Straight-line distance: 98.83 mi (159.05 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Lake Monticello

#2 Lake Monticello

Census-designated place in Virginia, United States

Population9,920
Coordinates37.9232000, -78.3347300
Altitude113
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Lake Monticello (-78.33473, 37.9232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 212 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.64 gal
17.56 L · about $18.38
Round trip
$36.76
9.28 gal · 35.12 L
Estimated CO2
41.2 kg one way
Round trip: 82.5 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.38 $36.76
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.55 $41.10
Premium $4.78 $22.17 $44.34
Diesel $5.62 $26.10 $52.19

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 Lake Monticello. The current time is 16:18:01.

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.