Spanning 239.6 miles across Virginia, this drive takes you from the historic coast in Williamsburg to the mountain city of Roanoke. You can expect about 4 hours and 28 minutes of time behind the wheel, making it a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $38, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since the entire route is contained within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic climate shifts, but the transition from tidewater to the Blue Ridge foothills is distinct. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused itinerary offers a straightforward path between these two key Virginia hubs.
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
119.8 miles from Williamsburg, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
157.2 mi
2h 50m
I 81
47.7 mi
52m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
US 220
5.9 mi
8m
North Henry Street
2 mi
3m
Capitol Landing Road
0.6 mi
1m
US 220 BUS
0.4 mi
1m
North Boundary Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 157.2 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,947 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,362
Quietest
2 AM
~111 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
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 Williamsburg, VA and Roanoke, VA.
1
Start on VA 5
14 ft·1 sec·Jamestown Road
2
Turn left onto South Boundary Street
120 ft·4 sec·South Boundary Street
3
Continue on North Boundary Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Boundary Street
4
Turn right onto Scotland Street
474 ft·20 sec·Scotland Street
5
Turn left onto VA 5; VA 132
2.0 mi·3 min·North Henry Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto VA 143
0.6 mi·1 min·Capitol Landing Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
8
Merge onto I 64
37 mi·39 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 200Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NCUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 North: WashingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·24 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 53AToward I 64 West: Charlottesville
13
Merge onto I 64
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: CharlottesvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
48 mi·52 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 220
5.9 mi·8 min·US 220
Exit 143Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, RoanokeUse the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 220 BUS
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 220 BUS
Toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·56 sec·US 220 BUS
18
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·30 sec·Salem Avenue Southeast
19
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
477 ft·20 sec·South Jefferson Street
20
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
379 ft·22 sec·Kirk Avenue Southwest
21
Turn left
115 ft·13 sec
22
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the 239.6-mile journey. Since you are spending nearly 90% of your time on highways, traffic congestion near major interchanges can impact your arrival time, so try to depart early in the morning to beat the rush. Keep your fuel gauge in mind during that long 157.2-mile stretch on I-64, as finding a convenient exit for gas is easier when you plan your breaks in advance. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Use your single planned stop strategically to refuel both your vehicle and yourself before the final leg of the drive.
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 119.8 miles from Williamsburg, VA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.2 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roanoke, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, VA
This is one driving day of about 239.6 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Williamsburg, 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 157.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 40 and 232.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
7
40.5 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington
6
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 53A
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
6
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West: Charlottesville
8
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 143
Toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.37 one way
$70.75 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.87
$77.75
premium
$4.49
$42.37
$84.75
diesel
$4.80
$45.24
$90.48
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: 83.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.16
$11.50
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.97
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.54
$15.33
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Williamsburg, VA
Late night
in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
3:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 to 10 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Roanoke, VA
Late night
in Roanoke on Sunday
Local time
3:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 2 to 9 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:28AM EDT until July 18 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
4 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 28m 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.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
Park Closure: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues
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
near mile 239.6
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 41.3
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily reliant on major corridors, with 88% of your journey spent on the highway. You will primarily navigate via I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a consistent pace for the duration of your travel. Be prepared for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 157.2 miles on I-64, which demands steady focus as you traverse the state. While the route is designed for speed and efficiency, the character of the road shifts as you transition from the coastal plains toward the interior mountain ranges. Expect a practical, interstate-focused experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 239.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,824 ft85 ft
Total Climb
1,995 ft
Total Descent
1,158 ft
Highest Point
1,824 ft
~171.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,739 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 Williamsburg, VA to Roanoke, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Rocky Mount along the way.
Williamsburg is a city in southeast Virginia. Settled in 1632, it was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1779 and in 1926, John D. Rockefeller Jr commissioned a restoration project to bring Williamsburg back to its former colonial glory. During this period, 700 modern homes were demolished, colonial buildings were renovated, and more than 400 buildings were reconstructed on their original foundations. Today, the Colonial Williamsburg district in the center of town is a popular tourist center and people visit in droves to immerse themselves in the nation's colonial history.
Top landmarks
•Colonial Williamsburg — living history museum in WIlliamsburg, Virginia
•Williamsburg Inn — hotel in Williamsburg, United States
•Raleigh Tavern — historic commercial building in Virginia, United States
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 28m. Total distance: 239.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.2 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Roanoke, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Booker T Washington National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Roanoke, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
