Roanoke, VA to Cape Charles, VA is 317.4 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I 64, I 81, and Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. For the most part, you'll be on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. It's a solid option if you need to get from the western part of Virginia to the eastern shore without too much fuss, and it's definitely manageable in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.7 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
156.9 mi
2h 53m
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.9 mi
25m
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
17.7 mi
24m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
Lankford Highway
10.8 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
10.2 mi
13m
I 581
5.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 103 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,218 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,636
Quietest
2 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Cape Charles, 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
0.3 mi·48 sec·Williamson Road Northeast
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·35 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, BristolUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 581; US 220
5.6 mi·7 min·I 581; US 220
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
13 mi·15 min·US 220
Exit 1NToward I 81 North, US 220 North: LexingtonUse the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 81
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
90 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 177Toward I 295 North: Washington, NorfolkUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 295
23 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 64
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 60
342 ft·5 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Continue on I 64; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
17
Continue on I 64; US 60
10 mi·12 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·43 sec
Exit 282Toward US 13: Northamption Boulevard, Chesapeake Bay Bridge - TunnelUse the right lane.
19
Turn right onto US 13; VA 166
5.1 mi·7 min·Northampton Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
Merge onto US 13
0.3 mi·38 sec·Northampton Boulevard
21
Continue on US 13
18 mi·24 min·Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel
22
Continue on US 13
11 mi·14 min·Lankford Highway
23
Turn left onto VA 184
1.7 mi·3 min·Stone Road
24
Continue on VA 184
0.3 mi·36 sec·Randolph Avenue
25
Turn left onto VA 184
336 ft·9 sec·Fig Street
26
Continue on VA 184
0.4 mi·56 sec·Mason Avenue
27
Turn right onto Strawberry Street
0.2 mi·58 sec·Strawberry Street
28
Turn right onto Park Row
295 ft·12 sec·Park Row
29
Arrive at destination
Park Row
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Roanoke to maximize daylight. With a single day recommended, you'll want to limit stops to maintain your schedule. The longest stretch is over 150 miles on I 64, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you hit that section. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, you can afford to be a bit flexible with your timing, but don't forget to factor in potential traffic as you approach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.7 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 70 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.7 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Charles, 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 317.4 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 I 64 for about 156.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 280.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 220 BUS
Take the ramp onto US 220 BUS toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Bristol
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Br...
9
6.7 mi into trip|~11m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
8
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
8
198.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
280.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 13: Northamption Boulevard, Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 282
Toward US 13: Northamption Boulevard, Chesapeak...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.48 one way
$100.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$55.05
$110.09
premium
$4.78
$59.72
$119.44
diesel
$5.35
$66.85
$133.71
Estimated Tolls: $4.00
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
$4.00
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
$50
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.2
1
$33.33
$15.24
Efficient EV
79.4
0
$27.77
$12.70
EV Truck/SUV
127
1
$44.44
$20.31
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Afternoon
in Roanoke on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 7:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Cape Charles, VA
Afternoon
in Cape Charles on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
NE 6 to 12 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 7:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
8 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
6h 10m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$15
near mile 240.8
Park Closure: Jamestown Island Loop Drive to Temporarily Close to Vehicles
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 262.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 197
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 76% highway, so expect long stretches of consistent driving. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 156.9 miles on I 64. You'll transition from the interstate system onto surface roads as you approach your destination. Keep an eye out for the increasing number of exits as you get closer to the Chesapeake Bay area.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 220 BUS.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 317.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,813 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
897 ft
Total Descent
1,815 ft
Highest Point
1,813 ft
~68 mi in
Elevation Range
1,815 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Roanoke, VA and Cape Charles, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
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
Cape Charles is a town in Eastern Virginia, at the southern tip of the Delmarva peninsula. It used to be the terminus of the eastern shore railway and still has an operating rail-to-barge ferry terminal with freight service to Norfolk. It has the feel of a time gone by.
Top landmarks
•Cape Charles Historic District — historic district in Virginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 10m. Total distance: 317.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.00 in tolls one way, starting with Chesapeake Bay Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cape Charles, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cape Charles, VA before the return drive.
