Origin
Cana, VA
Late night in Cana on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cana, VA to Roanoke, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
99 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cana, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Roanoke, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cana, VA to Roanoke, VA is 99 miles and takes about 1 hour 55 minutes via I 81 and I 77, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Virginia. It's a straightforward highway drive, making it a good option if you're looking for a quick and efficient journey between these two locations. With a duration under two hours, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination and still have the rest of the day to explore Roanoke.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from Cana, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 61.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 77 | 23 mi | 26m |
| Fancy Gap Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| I 581 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| VA 148 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| US 220 BUS | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Salem Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Jefferson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 61.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cana, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on US 52
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Fancy Gap Highway
2
Turn left onto VA 148
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
VA 148
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
4
Merge onto I 77
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 77
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 81 North: Roanoke
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 81; US 11
61 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 581; US 220
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 220 BUS
11
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Salem Avenue Southeast
12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
13
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kirk Avenue Southwest
14
Turn left
115 ft
·
13 sec
15
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 55 minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave anytime. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your day in Roanoke. Fuel costs are estimated at $15, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as major services are concentrated along the interstate. There are no specific recommended stops provided for this short route, so you can choose to drive straight through or make a brief stop as needed. Keep an eye on I 81, as it's your main artery for the longest portion of the trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.5 miles from Cana, VA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roanoke, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cana, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cana, VA
This is one driving day of about 99 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Cana, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 61.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.5 miles from Cana, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 30.7 and 98.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
30.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 81 North: Roanoke
7
31.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
I 81; US 11
Merge onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5
98.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
US 220 BUS
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Down...
5
98.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.48 one way
$30.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.93 | $33.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.32 | $36.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.75 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Late night in Roanoke on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Dublin, VA
50 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on interstates, primarily I 81 and I 77. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience for most of the 99 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 61.3 miles on I 81, so you'll have extended periods of highway travel without needing to navigate smaller roads. While predominantly interstate, the route does incorporate Fancy Gap Highway, offering a slight variation before rejoining the main interstates. Overall, this route prioritizes speed and directness.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.3 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 99 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Roanoke, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles (I 81; US 11): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Roanoke, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Roanoke, VA
More from Cana, VA
More trips to Roanoke, VA
Explore more options from Cana, VA or browse trips ending in Roanoke, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.