How far is Roanoke, VA from South Boston, VA?

The driving distance from Roanoke, VA to South Boston, VA is about 99 miles (159.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m 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
99.04 mi
02h 25m
Flight
69.7 mi
112.17 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
69.7 mi
Kilometers
112.17 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.04 mi
Kilometers
159.39 km
Drive Time
02h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Boston
Sun, Apr 19, 8:27 AM EDT
Return by in Roanoke
Sun, Apr 19, 10:52 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roanoke
2026-04-19T06:01
Arrive South Boston
Sun, Apr 19, 8:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:38 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
Gretna
VA

Town of the United States

From Roanoke
49.5 mi
01h 12m
To South Boston
49.5 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph NW
Destination
69°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke and South Boston.

  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

    566 ft · 14 sec · Franklin Road Southwest

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Jefferson Street

    870 ft · 39 sec · South Jefferson Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Elm Avenue Southeast

    1850 ft · 37 sec · Elm Avenue Southeast

  6. 6

    Continue on Jamison Avenue Southeast

    130 m · 7 sec · Jamison Avenue Southeast

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Bullitt Avenue Southeast

    1425 ft · 28 sec · Bullitt Avenue Southeast

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 9th Street Southeast

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 9th Street Southeast

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Riverland Road Southeast

    2663 ft · 2 min · Riverland Road Southeast

  10. 10

    Turn slight right

    13.5 mi · 20 min

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Booker T Washington Highway

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Booker T Washington Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Old Franklin Turnpike

    15.6 mi · 22 min · Old Franklin Turnpike

  13. 13

    Continue on West Gretna Road

    13.5 mi · 18 min · West Gretna Road

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward US 29 South

    1412 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto US 29 South

    9.8 mi · 12 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 57

    725 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Halifax Road

    14.5 mi · 20 min · Halifax Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Chatham Road

    12.9 mi · 19 min · Chatham Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Mountain Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Mountain Road

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street

    2011 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Halifax Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Halifax Road

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Old Halifax Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Old Halifax Road

  23. 23

    Continue on North Main Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Halifax Road
16.4 mi · 17%
Old Franklin Turnpike
15.6 mi · 16%
West Gretna Road
13.5 mi · 14%
Chatham Road
12.9 mi · 13%
US 29 South
10 mi · 10%
Booker T Washington Highway
7.06 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Old Franklin Turnpike

Turn left onto Old Franklin Turnpike

15.6 mi · 00h 22m

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 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.3 mi
69.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gretna
01h 12m from Roanoke
Leave By
1:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Roanoke and Chance Rain Showers near South Boston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roanoke to South Boston?

The road trip is about 99 miles (159.4 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?

Gretna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.5 miles from Roanoke and 49.5 miles from South Boston.

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

The direct path is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.3 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 1:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.82 one way or $27.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Roanoke and Chance Rain Showers near South Boston.

Stop Ideas Near Gretna

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

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

RAIL

Danville

41 mi away
677 Craghead St.
RAIL

Kemper Street station

53 mi away
825 Kemper St
BUS

Roanoke

63 mi away
710 Williamson Road NE
RAIL

Burlington

96 mi away
101 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roanoke and South Boston. Straight-line distance: 69.7 mi (112.17 km).

Roanoke

#1 Roanoke

The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Population99,058
Coordinates37.2709700, -79.9414300
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
South Boston

#2 South Boston

Town in Halifax County, Virginia, United States

Population7,519
Coordinates36.6987500, -78.9014000
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Start: Roanoke (-79.94143, 37.27097)
End: South Boston (-78.9014, 36.69875)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.23 L · about $13.82
Round trip
$27.65
6.98 gal · 26.46 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $13.82 $27.65
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.46 $30.91
Premium $4.78 $16.68 $33.35
Diesel $5.62 $19.63 $39.26

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Roanoke and South Boston. The current time is 06:01:36.

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.