How far is Roanoke, VA from Merrimac, VA?
The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Merrimac, VA is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 21m 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 10m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Roanoke and Merrimac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and Merrimac.
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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 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 right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond
31.1 mi · 34 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 North: Charlottesville, Culpeper
1389 ft · 34 sec
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12
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right
882 ft · 26 sec
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14
Turn slight right onto Emmet Street North
44 m · 11 sec · Emmet Street North
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15
Continue on Emmet Street North
2610 ft · 1 min · Emmet Street North
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16
Continue on Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 49 min · Seminole Trail
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17
Continue on James Monroe Highway
3.4 mi · 4 min · James Monroe Highway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · James Monroe Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Roanoke and Merrimac.
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
Continue straight
64.7 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Roanoke and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Merrimac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to Merrimac?
The road trip is about 157.7 miles (253.8 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Jolivue is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from Roanoke and 78.9 miles from Merrimac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 10:38 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.68 one way or $43.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Roanoke and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Merrimac.
Stop Ideas Near Jolivue
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 Jolivue.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Clifton Forge
Kemper Street station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Merrimac. Straight-line distance: 130.34 mi (209.77 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 Merrimac
Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.4526300, -78.0786100 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merrimac (-78.07861, 38.45263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $21.68 | $43.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.39 | $24.47 | $48.95 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $26.72 | $53.44 |
| Diesel | $6.18 | $34.42 | $68.83 |
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 07, 2026