Origin
Roanoke, VA
Morning in Roanoke on Tuesday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roanoke, VA to Nellysford, VA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
96.9 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roanoke, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Nellysford, VA
Guilherme Simão
Trip Overview
This 96.9-mile drive from Roanoke to Nellysford, Virginia, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of the journey on faster roads. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace without the need for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, making it an economical choice for a short excursion. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 43.6 mi | 46m |
| Blue Ridge Parkway | 13.4 mi | 22m |
| US 220 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Beech Grove Road | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| I 581 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| North Lee Highway | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Tye River Turnpike | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Rockfish Valley Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 43.6 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roanoke, VA and Nellysford, 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, Bristol
Use 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 1N
Toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 81
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 81
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward SR 710: Fairfield
11
Turn right onto SR 710
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Sterrett Road
12
Continue on SR 710
364 ft
·
7 sec
·
Sterret Road
13
Turn left onto US 11
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
North Lee Highway
14
Turn right onto VA 56
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Tye River Turnpike
15
Keep slight left at fork onto VA 56
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Tye River Turnpike
16
Turn left
450 ft
·
21 sec
17
Turn right onto Blue Ridge Parkway
13 mi
·
22 min
·
Blue Ridge Parkway
18
Turn right onto SR 664
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Beech Grove Road
19
Turn left onto VA 151
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Rockfish Valley Highway
20
Arrive at destination
VA 151
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to explore Nellysford upon arrival. Since the total distance is only 96.9 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. There are no specific mandatory stops indicated, so you can pace yourself and pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a clear break is 43.6 miles on I-81. A practical tip: download offline maps for the Blue Ridge Parkway section, as cell service can be spotty in mountainous areas.
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 48.4 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.6 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 57m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nellysford, 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 96.9 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 43.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 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
$15.15 one way
$30.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.57 | $33.14 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.93 | $35.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.39 | $42.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.38
Tye River Turnpike
(5.4 mi)
$0.38
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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.48 | $3.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Nellysford, VA
Morning in Nellysford on Tuesday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
2h 5m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 84% of your travel time spent on faster roads like I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.6 miles on I-81, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a change of pace, the overall character leans towards efficient travel. The transition between major highways and potentially more local roads as you approach Nellysford will provide some variation, but the core of this drive is about covering ground effectively.
84% 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: 43.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Blue Ridge Parkway. You will hit about 15 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 96.9 miles you will encounter 15 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 96.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.38 in tolls one way, starting with Tye River 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 Nellysford, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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. 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 Nellysford, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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