Roanoke, VA to Passapatanzy, VA is 200 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 81, I 64, and Courthouse Road, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Virginia. The route is mostly highway, making for a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this is an easy day trip for most travelers.
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
100 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m 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
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
Bibb Store Road
5.9 mi
8m
I 581
5.6 mi
7m
White Oak Road
4.1 mi
6m
Lake Anna Parkway
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,628 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,045
Quietest
2 AM
~91 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Passapatanzy, 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
1.6 mi·2 min·Blue and Gray Parkway
29
Take the exit
276 ft·9 sec
30
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
0.4 mi·52 sec·Kings Highway
Toward VA 3 West Business, FredericksburgUse the left lane.
31
Turn right onto SR 606
2.7 mi·4 min·Ferry Road
32
Turn right onto VA 218
4.1 mi·6 min·White Oak Road
33
Continue on VA 218
1.4 mi·2 min·Caledon Road
34
Arrive at destination
VA 218
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Roanoke in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Passapatanzy with plenty of daylight. Since the drive is relatively short, you have flexibility with when to take your single recommended stop, perhaps midway for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $31; topping up before leaving Roanoke is a good idea. Pay attention as you transition from I 64 to Courthouse Road, as this will be the main change in road type and driving environment on your trip.
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 100 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 53m 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 53m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passapatanzy, 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 200 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 191.4 — 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
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|VA 3 BUS / Kings Highway
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS / Kings Highway toward VA 3 West Business, Fredericksburg
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward VA 3 West Business, Fredericksburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.65 one way
$61.29 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$33.63
$67.26
premium
$4.64
$36.51
$73.02
diesel
$5.60
$44.09
$88.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.00
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Aug 17, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Morning
in Roanoke on Friday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 17 at 2:32AM EDT until August 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 17 at 2:03AM EDT until August 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Passapatanzy, VA
Morning
in Passapatanzy on Friday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 17 at 2:32AM EDT until August 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 17 at 2:03AM EDT until August 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 11m 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.
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 200
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 72% of the 200 miles on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 81, including a stretch of 64.7 miles without needing to exit. Expect the highway segments to end as you approach Courthouse Road, which will transition you to more local surface streets for the final part of your drive. The high highway percentage means you'll likely encounter frequent exits and merges for much of the trip.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 20 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 200 miles you will encounter 20 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
1,735 ft204 ft
Total Climb
921 ft
Total Descent
1,640 ft
Highest Point
1,735 ft
~71.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,531 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 Passapatanzy, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Ferncliff along the way.
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 11m. Total distance: 200 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). 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.
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.
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 Passapatanzy, 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. 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 and George Washington Birthplace National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Passapatanzy, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
