Roanoke, VA to Bon Air, VA is 153.7 miles and takes about 3h 25m via US 460 and Anderson Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region toward another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip that offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. You'll find it's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route without needing an overnight stay.
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
76.9 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460
44.2 mi
57m
Anderson Highway
36.7 mi
48m
VA 24
18.9 mi
21m
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
14.6 mi
18m
Midlothian Turnpike
8.8 mi
14m
East James Anderson Highway
8.1 mi
9m
West James Anderson Highway
7.7 mi
9m
Blue Ridge Boulevard
5.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 460
— 44.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Bon Air, 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
44 mi·57 min·US 460
Toward US 460 EastUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto VA 24
0.2 mi·21 sec·VA 24
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
14
Turn slight left onto VA 24
19 mi·21 min·VA 24
15
Continue on US 60
7.7 mi·9 min·West James Anderson Highway
16
Continue on US 60
8.1 mi·9 min·East James Anderson Highway
17
Continue on US 60
37 mi·48 min·Anderson Highway
18
Continue on US 60
8.8 mi·14 min·Midlothian Turnpike
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn left onto SR 675
0.2 mi·27 sec·Robious Road
20
Turn right onto SR 718
1.3 mi·3 min·Old Bon Air Road
21
Continue on SR 718
0.7 mi·1 min·Rockaway Road
22
Arrive at destination
SR 718
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 25-minute estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Leaving Roanoke in the morning should allow you ample time to reach Bon Air without feeling rushed, and it keeps your fuel cost around $24. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition off US 460. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the Anderson Highway portion, as services might be less frequent than on the main highway.
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 76.9 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 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 34 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 43m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bon Air, 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.
+
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 Roanoke, VA
This is one driving day of about 153.7 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Roanoke, 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 US 460 for about 44.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 71.3 — 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
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116 / Williamson Road Southeast
Turn left onto US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116 / Williamson Road Southeast
Navigation decision point
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
5
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|VA 24
Take the exit onto VA 24 toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, Appomattox
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VA 24 East, VA 131 South: To Route 60, A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.45 one way
$48.89 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$26.66
$53.31
premium
$4.78
$28.92
$57.84
diesel
$5.35
$32.37
$64.75
Estimated Tolls: $1.63
West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike
(14.6 mi)$1.02
Midlothian Turnpike
(8.8 mi)$0.61
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
$24
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
EV Truck/SUV
61.5
0
$21.52
$9.84
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Afternoon
in Roanoke on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Rain Showers Likely
E 2 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 23 at 3:51PM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Bon Air, VA
Afternoon
in Bon Air on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers
NE 5 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 23 at 3:51PM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
83°F
Concord, VA
77 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
3 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
3h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
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...
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 148.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 56% of this drive on highways, you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest stretch without needing to turn is 44.2 miles on US 460. After that, expect the road to transition to surface streets, which will likely slow your pace. This mixed profile means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more local cruising.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.2 mi on US 460.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street Southwest.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 25m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.4 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116 / Williamson Road Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,244 ft311 ft
Total Climb
736 ft
Total Descent
1,341 ft
Highest Point
1,244 ft
~11 mi in
Elevation Range
933 ft
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 Bon Air, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Appomattox along the way.
Appomattox
71.3 mi in|~1h 37m|via VA 24
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Roanoke, Virginia, called the "Star City of the South" and "Magic City," is a charming city with beautiful views. A colorfully lit 100-ft star atop Mill Mountain graces the Roanoke Valley. The city sits between Virginia Tech and Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Valley had a population of around 315,000 in 2020.
Top landmarks
•Hotel Roanoke — Historic hotel in Roanoke, Virginia
•Colony House Motor Lodge — motel in Roanoke, Virginia
•Roanoke City Market Historic District — historic district in Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.2 miles on US 460. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.63 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.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 0.4 miles (US 221; US 220 BUS; VA 116 / Williamson Road Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Bon Air, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
