Roanoke, VA to Dahlgren, VA is 217.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 81, I 64, and Courthouse Road, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With over three-quarters of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two points.
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
108.8 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
I 64
55.7 mi
1h 1m
Courthouse Road
26.7 mi
39m
Blue and Gray Parkway
16.8 mi
23m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
Dahlgren Road
10.7 mi
16m
Bibb Store Road
5.9 mi
8m
I 581
5.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,623 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,988
Quietest
2 AM
~90 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18×
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 Dahlgren, 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
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward VA 208: Louisa, Ferncliff
12
Turn left onto VA 208
8.8 mi·13 min·Courthouse Road
13
Turn left onto US 33; VA 22
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Main Street
14
Turn right onto SR 628
0.4 mi·1 min·Fredericksburg Avenue
15
Continue on SR 628
5.9 mi·8 min·Bibb Store Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto SR 613
1.7 mi·2 min·Goldmine Road
17
Continue on SR 613
2.8 mi·4 min·Mansfield Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 522; VA 208
294 ft·5 sec·Zachary Taylor Highway
19
Turn right
107 ft·2 sec
20
Turn right onto VA 208
3.8 mi·5 min·New Bridge Road
21
Continue on VA 208
12 mi·16 min·Courthouse Road
22
Continue on VA 208
4.0 mi·5 min·Lake Anna Parkway
23
Continue on VA 208
0.9 mi·1 min·Courthouse Bypass
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on VA 208
5.9 mi·9 min·Courthouse Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 1 BUS
2.7 mi·5 min·Lafayette Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto US 1 BUS
63 ft·1 sec·Lafayette Boulevard
27
Continue on US 1 BUS
0.1 mi·26 sec·Lafayette Boulevard
28
Turn right onto VA 3
17 mi·23 min·Blue and Gray Parkway
29
Turn left onto VA 206
11 mi·16 min·Dahlgren Road
30
Turn slight right onto SR 614
0.3 mi·1 min·Potomac Drive
31
Turn left onto SR 604
99 ft·2 sec·Twelfth Street
32
Arrive at destination
SR 604
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m estimated drive time, leaving Roanoke in the morning will comfortably get you to Dahlgren by mid-afternoon. The drive is efficient enough that you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. While there's only one recommended stop, you can take breaks as needed, especially during the 64.7-mile stretch on I 81. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your fill-up accordingly before hitting the more rural sections of Courthouse Road.
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 108.8 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 2h 2m 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dahlgren, 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 217.7 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 81 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 0.1 and 6.7 — 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
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...
5
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|I 581; US 220
Merge onto I 581; US 220
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.63 one way
$69.25 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$37.75
$75.51
premium
$4.78
$40.96
$81.92
diesel
$5.35
$45.85
$91.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.05
$8.71
EV Truck/SUV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 2, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Afternoon
in Roanoke on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Dahlgren, VA
Afternoon
in Dahlgren on Wednesday
Local time
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Scattered Rain Showers
E 6 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 6:59PM EDT until June 2 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
1 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
4h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Monument
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Was...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 217.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 74% of the 217.7 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 64.7 miles on I 81, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. The highway portion concludes as you transition to Courthouse Road, indicating a shift to more local or surface roads for the final leg into Dahlgren.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. You will hit about 18 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 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 217.7 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 0.1 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 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,739 ft16 ft
Total Climb
1,461 ft
Total Descent
2,368 ft
Highest Point
1,739 ft
~62.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,723 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 Dahlgren, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Ferncliff along the way.
Ferncliff
140.2 mi in|~2h 37m
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 217.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Dahlgren, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Booker T Washington National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dahlgren, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
