This 125.5-mile drive from Roanoke, VA, to Hollymead, VA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You'll spend about 94% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast region of Virginia. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this route offers an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay. The overall feel is one of focused travel, ideal if you want to reach your destination with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency. Consider this a practical option for a swift trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.7 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
I 64
31.1 mi
34m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
I 581
5.6 mi
7m
Seminole Trail
4.6 mi
8m
US 29
3.8 mi
5m
Emmet Street North
0.5 mi
1m
Hollymead Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Hollymead, 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
31 mi·34 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 29 North: Charlottesville, Culpeper
12
Continue on US 29
3.8 mi·5 min·US 29
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
14
Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS
144 ft·10 sec·Emmet Street North
15
Continue on US 29 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Emmet Street North
16
Continue on US 29
4.6 mi·8 min·Seminole Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto SR 1520
0.2 mi·34 sec·Hollymead Drive
18
At end of road, turn right onto SR 1520
0.3 mi·54 sec·Hollymead Drive
19
Turn left onto SR 1523
128 ft·5 sec·Goldentree Place
20
Arrive at destination
SR 1523
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2 hour and 27 minute duration for this 125.5-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic, especially around the Roanoke and Charlottesville areas. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without an exit is 64.7 miles on I-81, so plan for a restroom break before embarking on that segment if needed. This is a drive where you can easily make good time, so consider packing snacks to enjoy along the way.
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 62.7 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 12m 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.7 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollymead, 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 125.5 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Roanoke, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 125.2 — 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...
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
6
125.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|SR 1520 / Hollymead Drive
At end of road, turn right onto SR 1520 / Hollymead Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.63 one way
$39.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.46
$42.92
premium
$4.70
$23.23
$46.45
diesel
$5.61
$27.71
$55.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.7
0
$13.18
$6.02
Efficient EV
31.4
0
$10.98
$5.02
EV Truck/SUV
50.2
0
$17.57
$8.03
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Afternoon
in Roanoke on Tuesday
Local time
12:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hollymead, VA
Afternoon
in Hollymead on Tuesday
Local time
12:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Buena Vista, VA
63 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
1 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
2h 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Booker T Washington National Monument
National Monument
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...
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$30
near mile 125.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.7 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. You'll primarily navigate on I-81, I-64, and US-220, which generally means smooth sailing and higher speed limits. This drive is less about winding backroads and more about covering ground efficiently on well-maintained arteries.
94% 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: 64.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 64. You will hit about 13 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 Effort5/10
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 125.5 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 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.
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 Hollymead, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Culpeper along the way.
Culpeper
115.6 mi in|~2h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 125.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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, 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 0.9 miles (US 220 BUS): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Booker T Washington National Monument and Shenandoah National 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 Hollymead, VA before heading back.
