Roanoke to Short Pump is 176.9 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I-81, I-64, and US-220, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, connecting the Southeast region from west to east. Expect a straightforward drive that's predominantly highway, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. The relatively short duration and manageable distance mean you can easily fit this into your schedule without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.4 miles from Roanoke, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
91.1 mi
1h 39m
I 81
64.7 mi
1h 9m
US 220
13.1 mi
15m
I 581
5.6 mi
7m
West Broad Street
0.9 mi
1m
Williamson Road Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Franklin Road Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Williamson Road Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 134 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,860 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,298
Quietest
2 AM
~92 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Short Pump, 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
91 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: RichmondUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 178AToward US 250 West: Short PumpUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto US 250
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto Pump Road
479 ft·15 sec·Pump Road
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Pump Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m drive time, departing Roanoke in the morning allows ample time to reach Short Pump before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you have flexibility in pacing your travel. The longest stretch without an exit is over 90 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $27, and it's wise to have a buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to make spontaneous stops if needed, but the drive is straightforward enough that you might not need to.
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 88.4 miles from Roanoke, VA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.4 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Short Pump, 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 176.9 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 91.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 175.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
7
175.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 250 West: Short Pump
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 178A
Toward US 250 West: Short Pump
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.70 one way
$57.40 round trip
$4.12/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.13
$64.27
premium
$5.00
$34.80
$69.60
diesel
$6.21
$43.24
$86.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.1
0
$18.57
$8.49
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
EV Truck/SUV
70.8
0
$24.77
$11.32
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Roanoke, VA
Morning
in Roanoke on Saturday
Local time
10:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Areas Of Fog then Chance Rain Showers
SW 2 to 12 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Short Pump, VA
Morning
in Short Pump on Saturday
Local time
10:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 13 mph1% chanceLive 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
2 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
3h 17m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the drive on major roads like I-81 and I-64. You'll experience a long stretch of 91.1 miles on I-64 without needing to exit. The transition to non-highway driving will occur very late in your trip, close to your destination. Be prepared for a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits as you approach the Richmond area.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 221; US 220 BUS / Franklin Road 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 176.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 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; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 176.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Short Pump, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 6.7 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Short Pump, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
