Origin
Lynchburg, VA
Morning in Lynchburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lynchburg, 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 19m
Distance
56 mi
90 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lynchburg, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Roanoke, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 56 miles through the Southeast, this straightforward drive connects Lynchburg and Roanoke in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend about $9 on fuel for the journey, making it a very economical excursion. Utilizing a combination of US 29, the West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, and Blue Ridge Boulevard, the path remains consistent and direct. It serves as a practical connection between these two Virginia cities, offering an efficient way to transition between regions without the need for complex planning.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 29 | 21.3 mi | 27m |
| West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| Blue Ridge Boulevard | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Lynchburg Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Orange Avenue Northeast | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| US 460 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Challenger Avenue Northeast | 2 mi | 3m |
| Candlers Mountain Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 21.3 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on 10th Street
221 ft
·
13 sec
·
10th Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
4
Merge onto US 29 BUS
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Lynchburg Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
Toward VA 128 West
Use the right lane.
6
Turn sharp left onto VA 128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Candlers Mountain Road
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 460 West, US 29 South: Roanoke, Danville
8
Merge onto US 29; US 460
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 29; US 460
9
Continue on US 460; VA 122
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 460; VA 122
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 221; US 460
15 mi
·
18 min
·
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
11
Continue on US 221; US 460
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Blue Ridge Boulevard
12
Continue on US 221; US 460
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 221; US 460; US 220 Alternate
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Orange Avenue Northeast
14
Turn left onto US 11; US 221
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Williamson Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Salem Avenue Southeast
16
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
17
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kirk Avenue Southwest
18
Turn left
115 ft
·
13 sec
19
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28 miles from Lynchburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 4.2 and 55.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward VA 128 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward VA 128 West
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
VA 128 / Candlers Mountain Road
Turn sharp left onto VA 128 / Candlers Mountain Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 460 West, US 29 South: Roanoke, Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 460 West, US 29 South: Roanoke, Danvi...
5
55.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
Kirk Avenue Southwest
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.76 one way
$17.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.58 | $19.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.36 | $20.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.36 | $24.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.02
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)
$1.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.88 | $2.69 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.90 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.84 | $3.58 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Bedford, VA
28 mi in
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
2 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 19m 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 highway-focused drive keeps you moving, with 75% of the trip spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 21.3 miles on US 29. While the route prioritizes speed and efficiency, the transition between road types keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a balanced mix of highway travel that eventually gives way to local turns as you approach your destination. Navigating this 56-mile path is straightforward, allowing you to focus on the road ahead rather than complex navigation.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.3 mi on US 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 29 and West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 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 56 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 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (VA 128 / Candlers Mountain Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lynchburg, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Danville
5.2 mi in
|
~8m
About the Cities
Starting in Lynchburg, VA
Full guide →Lynchburg is an independent city of 79,000 (2020) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It lies east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 56 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.3 miles on US 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.02 in tolls one way, starting with West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (VA 128 / Candlers Mountain Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Appomattox Court House National Historical 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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