How far is Roanoke, VA from Merrimac, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Merrimac, VA is about 39 miles (62.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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
39 mi
00h 54m
Flight
27.22 mi
43.81 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
27.22 mi
Kilometers
43.81 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39 mi
Kilometers
62.77 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Merrimac
Sun, Nov 8, 11:29 AM EST
Return by in Roanoke
Sun, Nov 8, 12:23 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-11-08T10:34
Arrive Merrimac
Sun, Nov 8, 11:29 AM EST
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM EST

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

Leave by
4:42 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roanoke
9:30 PM EST
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
Shawsville
VA

Census designated place

From Roanoke
19.5 mi
00h 27m
To Merrimac
19.5 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
37°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 1:00 AM EST
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
8 mph W

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.

  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 left to continue on I 81 South: Salem, Bristol

    2487 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    24.5 mi · 29 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 460: Christiansburg, Blacksburg

    2268 ft · 55 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 11, US 460 East, US 460 Business: Christiansburg, Shawsville

    1698 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Turn slight right

    73 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Roanoke Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Roanoke Street

  14. 14

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 460 West

    1456 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 460 Business: Christiansburg

    2958 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on US 460 Business West: Blacksburg

    1248 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto North Franklin Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Franklin Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Merrimac Road Northwest

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Merrimac Road Northwest

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Merrimac Road

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
51.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 South
25 mi · 64%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 15%
US 460 West
2.15 mi · 6%
North Franklin Street
1.48 mi · 4%
Merrimac Road Northwest
1.26 mi · 3%
Roanoke Street
0.85 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 81 South

Merge slight right

24.5 mi · 00h 29m

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
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.8 mi
27.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shawsville
00h 27m from Roanoke
Leave By
4:42 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Roanoke and 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 39 miles (62.8 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Shawsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.5 miles from Roanoke and 19.5 miles from Merrimac.

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

The direct path is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.37 one way or $10.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Roanoke and Sunny near Merrimac.

Stop Ideas Near Shawsville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Shawsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
The City Market Building
Food stop 13.9 mi away

The City Market Building

Roanoke , VA
32 Market Square SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
Rating 4.3/5 286 reviews Event venue,Food court
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 7.8 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , VA
114 N Broad St, Salem, VA 24153
Rating 2.3/5 4 reviews City government office
Charter Hall at the City Market Building
Nearby stop 13.9 mi away

Charter Hall at the City Market Building

Roanoke , VA
32 Market Square SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
Rating 4.5/5 19 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shawsville.

BUS

Blacksburg, VA

16 mi away
291 Alumni Mall -- Transit Concourse
BUS

Roanoke

31 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE
RAIL

White Sulphur Springs

69 mi away
315 West Main Street
RAIL

Alderson

71 mi away
1 C&O Plaza on Railroad Plaza

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Merrimac. Straight-line distance: 27.22 mi (43.81 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Merrimac

Merrimac is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates37.1895700, -80.4256100
Altitude605
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: Merrimac (-80.42561, 37.18957)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.38 gal
5.21 L · about $5.37
Round trip
$10.74
2.76 gal · 10.42 L
Estimated CO2
12.3 kg one way
Round trip: 24.5 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.37 $10.74
Mid-grade $4.39 $6.06 $12.13
Premium $4.80 $6.62 $13.24
Diesel $6.18 $8.53 $17.05

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

There is no time difference between Roanoke and Merrimac. The current time is 10:34:43.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.