Lake Monticello, VA to Roanoke, VA is 132 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 64, I 81, and Thomas Jefferson Parkway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily within Virginia. Given its short duration and mostly highway profile, it’s a straightforward drive. You’ll likely find this route efficient for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
66 miles from Lake Monticello, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
64.7 mi
1h 10m
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
Thomas Jefferson Parkway
10.8 mi
16m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
Jefferson Drive
0.8 mi
2m
Scottsville Road
0.6 mi
1m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
Sherwood Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Monticello, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on Sherwood Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Sherwood Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Blackwood Lane
423 ft·14 sec·Blackwood Lane
3
Turn right onto Briarwood Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Briarwood Road
4
Turn right onto Jefferson Drive
0.8 mi·2 min·Jefferson Drive
5
Turn left onto Monish Drive
191 ft·8 sec·Monish Drive
6
Turn right onto VA 53
0.4 mi·41 sec·Thomas Jefferson Parkway
7
Enter roundabout onto VA 53
206 ft·3 sec·Thomas Jefferson Parkway
8
Continue on VA 53
10 mi·15 min·Thomas Jefferson Parkway
9
Turn right onto VA 20
0.6 mi·1 min·Scottsville Road
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
11
Merge onto I 64
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 64
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
48 mi·52 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi·8 min·US 220
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
16
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
17
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
18
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
19
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
20
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total drive time under 3 hours, this is an easy same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. You'll likely only need one brief stop for fuel or a quick break, especially considering the $21 fuel cost. The longest stretch without an exit is over 60 miles on I 64, so ensure you have enough fuel before heading into that section. Enjoy the flexibility this shorter route offers.
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 66 miles from Lake Monticello, VA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 20m 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 6m
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 Lake Monticello, 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 Lake Monticello, VA
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Lake Monticello, 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 64.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 131.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Blackwood Lane
At end of road, turn left onto Blackwood Lane
Navigation decision point
6
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
125.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
131.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.57
$45.14
premium
$4.70
$24.43
$48.86
diesel
$5.61
$29.14
$58.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.6
0
$13.86
$6.34
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.55
$5.28
EV Truck/SUV
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Lake Monticello, VA
Morning
in Lake Monticello on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Morning
in Roanoke on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 36m 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 132
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly on highways, with 98% of the 132 miles on major roadways like I 64 and I 81. You'll experience a long stretch of 64.7 miles on I 64, offering uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads, like the Thomas Jefferson Parkway, happens closer to your destination, marking the end of the high-speed travel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Blackwood Lane.
Driving Effort6/10
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 132 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.3 miles (Blackwood Lane): Navigation decision point; at 77.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.3 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 36m. Total distance: 132 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 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 0.3 miles (Blackwood Lane): Navigation decision point; at 77.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.3 miles (US 220): 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.
