Road Trips from Roanoke, VA
Okay, so you're in Roanoke and looking for a drive. You've got options for quick, 3-4 hour trips with a solid drive score that stick to mostly highway, hitting parks like Booker T. Washington National Monument. Or, you can push a bit further, like 6 hours, for destinations with a higher park count, including Colonial National Historical Park. The terrain is generally gently rolling to flat, making most of these good for a day trip, though the longer ones might make you think about staying overnight.
Total Routes
41
Shortest
1.7h
With Parks Nearby
34
Under 2 hours
Full-day getaway
15 total in this range
Bellwood, VA
3h 33m161 mi one way
This 3.6-hour drive is a good option if you want to hit multiple parks, with Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Petersburg National Battlefield nearby. It's a mixed highway and surface route, offering a bit of variety over its 161 miles, and the gently rolling terrain keeps things interesting.
Bon Air, VA
3h 25m153.7 mi one way
Clocking in at 3.4 hours and 153.7 miles, this route is slightly shorter than Bellwood but offers similar park access, including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The terrain is mostly flat, making for a straightforward drive, and it has the same high drive score as many other options.
Chester, VA
3h 32m160.5 mi one way
Warrenton, VA
3h 51m186.3 mi one way
Central Garage, VA
3h 57m206.8 mi one way
This 4-hour, 206.8-mile trip is one of the longer day-trip options, primarily using highway. It's a good choice if you want to visit Booker T. Washington National Monument, and the gently rolling terrain provides a pleasant driving experience.
Weekend trip
24 total in this range
Aquia Harbour, VA
4h 10m196.6 mi one way
A 4.2-hour drive covering 196.6 miles, this route uses mostly highway and offers access to both Booker T. Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. The gently rolling terrain adds a nice visual element to the journey.
Stafford, VA
4h 5m193.1 mi one way
This 4.1-hour drive is 193.1 miles and primarily highway. It's a strong contender if you want to visit Booker T. Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park, with the gently rolling terrain making for a smooth trip.
Cherry Hill, VA
4h 26m209.2 mi one way
At 4.4 hours and 209.2 miles, this is one of the longer day trips. It’s mostly highway, and you can access Booker T. Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. The gently rolling terrain is consistent with many other routes.
Cape Charles, VA
6h 10m317.4 mi one way
This 6.2-hour, 317.4-mile trip is the longest option and a good choice if you want to see multiple national sites, including Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. The terrain is gently rolling, and it's primarily highway driving.
Passapatanzy, VA
4h 11m200 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Aquia Harbour, VA
4h 10m196.6 mi one way
Bellwood, VA
3h 33m161 mi one way
Stafford, VA
4h 5m193.1 mi one way
Cherry Hill, VA
4h 26m209.2 mi one way
Aquia Harbour, VA
4h 10m196.6 mi one way
Stafford, VA
4h 5m193.1 mi one way
Cape Charles, VA
6h 10m317.4 mi one way
Yorkshire, VA
4h 7m219.3 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers the chance to see the parks like Appomattox Court House National Historical Park with new growth on the gently rolling terrain.
Summer
Summer drives are best enjoyed on the highway routes, with easy access to parks like Shenandoah National Park.
Fall
The gently rolling terrain makes fall foliage viewing pleasant on the highway-focused trips to destinations like Aquia Harbour.
Winter
Winter drives on the mostly highway routes are feasible, with parks like Booker T. Washington National Monument accessible, though terrain may be less visually dynamic.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Roanoke, VA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.