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Trip from Roanoke, VA to Amherst, VA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

70.8 mi

114 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 28m ★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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independent city in Virginia, United States

Roanoke, VA

Wikimedia Commons

town in Virginia, USA

Amherst, VA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a journey from Roanoke to Amherst, expect a straightforward 70.8-mile trek that takes roughly 1 hour and 34 minutes to complete. This drive stays entirely within Virginia, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Because the travel time is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. With fuel costs estimated at around $11, it is an economical choice for a quick getaway. You will primarily navigate via 1st Street Southwest, Franklin Road Southwest, and Williamson Road Southeast to reach your destination. It is a practical, no-frills route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

35.4 miles from Roanoke, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 460 28.1 mi 35m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike 14.6 mi 18m
US 29 13.1 mi 14m
Blue Ridge Boulevard 5.5 mi 7m
Orange Avenue Northeast 2.9 mi 6m
US 29 BUS 2.2 mi 3m
Challenger Avenue Northeast 1.9 mi 3m
Kimball Avenue Northeast 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 460 — 28.1 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Amherst, VA.

1

Start on this road

285 ft · 26 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

0.1 mi · 34 sec · 1st Street Southwest
3

Turn sharp left onto US 221; US 220 BUS

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Franklin Road Southwest
4

Turn left onto US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Williamson Road Southeast
5

Continue on US 11; US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Williamson Road Northeast
6

Turn right onto Kimball Avenue Northeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Kimball Avenue Northeast
7

Turn right onto US 221; US 460; US 220 Alt

2.9 mi · 6 min · Orange Avenue Northeast
8

Continue on US 221; US 460; US 220 Alternate

1.9 mi · 3 min · Challenger Avenue Northeast
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on US 221; US 460

5.5 mi · 7 min · Blue Ridge Boulevard
10

Continue on US 221; US 460

15 mi · 18 min · West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
11

Continue on US 221; US 460

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460

28 mi · 35 min · US 460
Toward US 460 East Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit onto US 29

13 mi · 14 min · US 29
Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 29 Business: Amherst
15

Keep slight right at fork

500 ft · 14 sec
Toward US 29 Business: Amherst
16

Turn straight onto US 29 BUS

2.2 mi · 3 min · US 29 BUS
17

Turn right onto East Court Street

142 ft · 8 sec · East Court Street
18

Turn right onto Goodwin Street

52 ft · 2 sec · Goodwin Street
19

Arrive at destination

Goodwin Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a compact 1 hour and 34-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about heavy highway congestion. You won't need to schedule formal stops given the short duration, but it is wise to fuel up in Roanoke before you head out to ensure you stay within your $11 budget. Keep in mind that because this route is turn-heavy, you should rely on a reliable navigation system to stay on track through the various local road transitions. The lack of major highway segments makes this an ideal trip to take during daylight hours when you can more easily manage the frequent turns. Enjoy the ease of a trip that doesn't require complex logistics or long-haul preparation.

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 35.4 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 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 16 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 35.4 miles or 50m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Roanoke, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Roanoke, VA

This is one driving day of about 70.8 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Roanoke, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 460 for about 28.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Bedford County, Virginia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bedford, VA

35 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

Blue Ridge, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bedford, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Roanoke, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

bloom Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Roanoke, Virginia

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15405663891

Visit website

Bob's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vinton, Virginia

1.8 mi

Dogwood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vinton, Virginia

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Albemarle Bakery & Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Roanoke, Virginia

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15409823842

Visit website

Bridge Street Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bedford, Virginia

1.7 mi

The Cardinal Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Roanoke, Virginia

1.9 mi

bloom Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15405663891

Visit website

Bob's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Vinton, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15409820773

Visit website

Dogwood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.1

Vinton, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15403436549

Visit website

Railroad Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 50.6

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

V & T Cafe & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.6

Forest, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14343850415

Visit website

Viet Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.6

Forest, Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14346162895

The Albemarle Bakery & Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15409823842

Visit website

Bridge Street Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.3

Bedford, Virginia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

The Cardinal Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15409005020

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 5.1

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 50.6

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 50.6

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15403430585

Tesla Supercharger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 25.3

Bedford, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Virginia Museum of Transportation

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Roanoke, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15403425670

Visit website

Falling Creek Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 30.3

Bedford, Virginia

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15405867682

Visit website

National D-Day Memorial

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 30.3

Bedford, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+15405863329

Visit website

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 45.5

Lynchburg, Virginia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14345251806

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 68.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 1st Street Southwest

Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest

Turn sharp left onto US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

7
27 mi into trip | ~40m in | US 460

Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 460 East
7
55.1 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 29

Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville
6
68.5 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 29 Business: Amherst

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 29 Business: Amherst

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.07 one way

$22.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $12.11 $24.21
premium $4.70 $13.10 $26.21
diesel $5.61 $15.63 $31.26

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.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.2 0 $7.43 $3.40
Efficient EV 17.7 0 $6.19 $2.83
EV Truck/SUV 28.3 0 $9.91 $4.53

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Roanoke, VA

Late night in Roanoke on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, VA

Late night in Amherst on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Bedford, VA

35 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

13 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

1h 34m 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?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive, as this route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. You will find that the highway share is 0%, meaning your focus will be on navigating surface streets and local connectors throughout the entire 70.8-mile distance. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path requires constant attention to turns and changing road conditions. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you should expect a more engaged, hands-on driving experience. The character of the road is defined by its local nature, making it feel less like a transit corridor and more like a series of interconnected neighborhood and regional thoroughfares.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.1 mi on US 460.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 460 and West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street Southwest.

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 70.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (1st Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Roanoke, VA to Amherst, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.

Charlottesville

55.1 mi in | ~1h 15m | via US 29

About the Cities

Arriving in Amherst, VA

Full guide →

Amherst is a town 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 34m. Total distance: 70.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 28.1 miles on US 460. 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 Amherst, 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 0.1 miles (1st Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road Southwest): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Amherst, 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.

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