How far is Roanoke, VA from Richmond, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to Richmond, VA is about 186.9 miles (300.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.6 miles (221.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m 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
186.91 mi
02h 51m
Flight
137.56 mi
221.38 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
137.56 mi
Kilometers
221.38 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.91 mi
Kilometers
300.81 km
Drive Time
02h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Richmond
Thu, Apr 23, 1:43 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-04-22T22:51
Arrive Richmond
Thu, Apr 23, 1:43 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:46 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
Waynesboro
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Roanoke
93.4 mi
01h 25m
To Richmond
93.5 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph W
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    99.3 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 195 South: Laburnum Avenue

    953 ft · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 195 South

    1076 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Beltline Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Beltline Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 33, US 250: Broad Street, Hamilton Street

    969 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto North Hamilton Street

    866 ft · 32 sec · North Hamilton Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Broad Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Allen Avenue

    651 ft · 18 sec · North Allen Avenue

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout toward Marcus-David Peters Circle

    84 m · 8 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 64 East
99.3 mi · 53%
I 81 North
77.8 mi · 42%
I 581 North
5.76 mi · 3%
West Broad Street
1.53 mi · 1%
Beltline Expressway
0.73 mi
I 195 South
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Richmond

99.3 mi · 01h 50m

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 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.3 mi
137.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waynesboro
01h 25m from Roanoke
Leave By
12:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Roanoke and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 186.9 miles (300.8 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?

Waynesboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.4 miles from Roanoke and 93.5 miles from Richmond.

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

The direct path is about 137.6 miles (221.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.14 one way or $52.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Roanoke and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.

Stop Ideas Near Waynesboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro.

RAIL

Staunton station

18 mi away
1 Middlebrook Avenue
RAIL

Charlottesville Union Station

35 mi away
810 West Main St
RAIL

Kemper Street station

77 mi away
825 Kemper St
RAIL

Clifton Forge

88 mi away
400 Ridgeway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 137.56 mi (221.38 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

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

#2 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Start: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)
End: Robert E. Lee Circle (-77.460437, 37.553637)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 301 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.6 gal
24.97 L · about $26.14
Round trip
$52.29
13.2 gal · 49.94 L
Estimated CO2
58.7 kg one way
Round trip: 117.3 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.14 $52.29
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.23 $58.46
Premium $4.78 $31.53 $63.07
Diesel $5.62 $37.12 $74.24

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 Richmond. The current time is 22:51:26.

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.