This 193.6-mile drive from Clintwood, VA to Roanoke, VA can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours, making it an ideal day trip. With 78% of the journey on highways, you'll find this route to be primarily a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, which is quite reasonable for a trip of this length and duration. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region throughout your journey, staying within the state of Virginia. This route offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B, with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
96.8 miles from Clintwood, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
119.2 mi
2h 10m
Dante Mountain Road
13.9 mi
20m
US 19
12.7 mi
18m
Dante Road
8.9 mi
13m
Trail of the Lonesome Pine
7.9 mi
10m
I 77
7.1 mi
7m
US Highway 58 Alternate
6.9 mi
9m
Dickenson Highway
6.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 119.2 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clintwood, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on Skeens Avenue
58 ft·9 sec·Skeens Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 607
0.2 mi·23 sec·Clintwood Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto VA 83
207 ft·3 sec·Dickenson Highway
4
Continue on VA 83
6.4 mi·9 min·Dickenson Highway
5
Turn sharp right onto VA 63
14 mi·20 min·Dante Mountain Road
6
Continue on VA 63
8.9 mi·13 min·Dante Road
7
Continue on VA 63
1.1 mi·1 min·Wise Street
8
Turn left onto VA 270
0.3 mi·50 sec·4th Avenue
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 58 ALT
0.2 mi·24 sec·Castlewood Drive
10
Continue on US 58 ALT
365 ft·6 sec·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
11
Continue on US 58 ALT
6.9 mi·9 min·US Highway 58 Alternate
12
Continue on US 58 ALT; VA 71
7.8 mi·10 min·Trail of the Lonesome Pine
13
Turn right onto US 19
13 mi·18 min·US 19
14
Turn left onto US 11
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
15
Turn right onto Preston Street Southwest
0.2 mi·33 sec·Preston Street Southwest
16
At end of road, turn left onto Bradley Street Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bradley Street Southwest
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75
0.6 mi·1 min·Cummings Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
19
Merge onto I 81; US 58
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 81; US 58
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
7.1 mi·7 min·I 77; I 81; US 11; US 52
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
62 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 581; US 220
5.5 mi·7 min·I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
26
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
27
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
28
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
29
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
30
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a driving duration of only 4 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave anytime that suits your schedule, but an early morning departure will allow you to arrive in Roanoke with plenty of daylight. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the longest stretch on I 81 if needed for a stretch or to refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is a good budget to keep in mind. Given the highway-focused nature, be aware of typical interstate traffic patterns, especially as you approach Roanoke.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.8 miles from Clintwood, VA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 43 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.8 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Clintwood, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clintwood, VA
This is one driving day of about 193.6 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Clintwood, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 119.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 187 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 607 / Clintwood Main Street
Turn left onto SR 607 / Clintwood Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|VA 83 / Dickenson Highway
Enter roundabout onto VA 83 / Dickenson Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
125 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 81; US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11 toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: Roanoke
8
187 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.27 one way
$60.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.10
$66.21
premium
$4.70
$35.83
$71.66
diesel
$5.61
$42.74
$85.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.1
0
$20.33
$9.29
Efficient EV
48.4
0
$16.94
$7.74
EV Truck/SUV
77.4
0
$27.10
$12.39
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Clintwood, VA
Late night
in Clintwood on Sunday
Local time
4:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Late night
in Roanoke on Sunday
Local time
4:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 193.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 193.6-mile trip, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 81 and US 19. Dante Mountain Road also plays a role in connecting these segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.2 miles on I 81, offering a chance for consistent progress. While there are shifts between roads, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding, scenic byways. You'll experience a mix of faster highway speeds and potentially some slower sections as you transition between the main thoroughfares.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.2 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Dante Mountain Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 607 / Clintwood Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 193.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 607 / Clintwood Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (VA 83 / Dickenson Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.8 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 193.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.2 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 607 / Clintwood Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (VA 83 / Dickenson Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.8 miles (US 58 ALT; VA 75 / Cummings Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Roanoke, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
