Origin
Gordonsville, VA
Morning in Gordonsville on Sunday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gordonsville, VA to Roanoke, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
138.7 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gordonsville, VA
Tom Fisk
Roanoke, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 138.8-mile drive from Gordonsville to Roanoke, Virginia, takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving involved, suggesting a more intimate journey through the landscape. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this route is quite budget-friendly. Given its manageable length and the turn-heavy nature of the drive, it's best suited for those who enjoy a more engaging, hands-on driving experience rather than a quick interstate transit. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.4 miles from Gordonsville, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 67 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 81 | 47.7 mi | 52m |
| Gordonsville Road | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| US 220 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Louisa Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Richmond Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Gordon Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| US 220 BUS | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 67 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gordonsville, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on West King Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West King Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto North High Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North High Street
3
Turn left onto VA 231
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Gordon Avenue
4
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Gordonsville Road
5
Continue on VA 22
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Louisa Road
6
Turn straight onto US 250
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 64 West
8
Merge onto I 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 64
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
48 mi
·
52 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
US 220
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 220 BUS
13
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Salem Avenue Southeast
14
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
15
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kirk Avenue Southwest
16
Turn left
115 ft
·
13 sec
17
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 19-minute drive covering 138.8 miles, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Aiming for a morning departure will give you ample time to enjoy the journey without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost of around $22, you can easily plan for a full tank before you set off to ensure you have plenty of gas. Keep an eye on your navigation as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. Consider a brief stop about halfway through to stretch your legs and break up the frequent turns.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.4 miles from Gordonsville, VA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
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 Gordonsville, 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 Gordonsville, VA
This is one driving day of about 138.7 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Gordonsville, 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 64 for about 67 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Gordonsville, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67 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 0.2 and 138.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North High Street
At end of road, turn right onto North High Street
Navigation decision point
6
84.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
132.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 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 slight left lane.
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
138.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.69 one way
$43.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.72 | $47.43 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.67 | $51.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.62 | $61.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.56 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Morning in Roanoke on Sunday
Local time
6:16 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
12 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
2h 45m 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.
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 138.7
View on nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$30
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' as you make your way from Gordonsville to Roanoke. With a 0% highway share, this route will keep you actively engaged with the road. You won't encounter long, monotonous stretches; instead, expect a dynamic experience with frequent changes in direction. This style of driving offers a more direct connection to the communities and landscapes you'll pass through, rather than a high-speed transit. The constant navigation means you'll be in tune with the road's character from start to finish.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North High Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.7 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 0.2 miles (North High Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.1 miles (US 220): 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 2h 45m. Total distance: 138.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67 miles on I 64. 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.
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: at 0.2 miles (North High Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.1 miles (US 220): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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