Roanoke to Asheville road trip: Drive time, distance & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Roanoke to Asheville drive are the Dixie Caverns, Claytor Lake State Park and Bristol TN. The distance from Roanoke to Asheville by car is 244 miles, with a 3h45m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Roanoke and Asheville
The Roanoke to Asheville drive takes you through the Blue Ridge Mountains from South-West Virginia to North Carolina.
The giant star on the side of Mill Mountain is the famed symbol of Roanoke VA. But there’s more on offer in this Blue Ridge Mountains city. For a start, you can head to the top of Mill Mountain – the park also contains Mill Mountain Zoo.
For museums, the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture and the Taubman Museum of Art are the best bets. The highly playable Roanoke Pinball Museum is arguably more fun, though.
Good Roanoke activity options include ebike tours that combine sightseeing and craft breweries, and downtown food tours.
For Roanoke accommodation, the Country Inn and Suites offers good value but the more luxurious Hotel Roanoke has plenty of character.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville NC is one of the main gateways to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is one of America’s best road trip routes.
But there’s more to Asheville than the mountains. It’s a buzzy city of arty shops, restaurants, breweries and live music venues. The River Arts District is particularly strong on the studios and galleries front. The lavish Biltmore Estate, meanwhile, is the country’s biggest privately-owned home.
Top Asheville experiences include after dark ghost walks, Blue Ridge Parkway hiking tours and Jeep adventures, plus Segway tours and scenic helicopter rides.
You can also do guided e-bike tours either downtown or in the mountains, then take a guided visit to several craft breweries.
Roanoke to Asheville distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Roanoke to Asheville is 244 miles. That makes for a driving time of three hours and 45 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-81 and I-26.
The best stops to add to a Roanoke to Asheville road trip itinerary are the Dixie Caverns, Claytor Lake State Park and Bristol TN.
Roanoke to Asheville road trip attractions: Dixie Caverns
The Dixie Caverns in Salem, Virginia, have been open to the public for more than 100 years. The guided tours through the caverns last around 50 minutes and involve 343 stairs. The Wedding Bell, a giant flowstone formation, is the top attraction.
Somewhat bizarrely, there is also a 44-dealer antiques mall on site.
Roanoke to Ashevillle drive: Claytor Lake State Park
Claytor Lake State Park covers 472 acres, and offers seven miles of easy-going hiking and biking trails. On sunny days, however, the picnic tables and swimming area in the lake are likely to prove more tempting.
There’s also a lodge and cabins for those wanting to stay overnight.
Best stops between Roanoke and Asheville: Bristol TN
Bristol TN is one half of a larger city – it is essentially the same place as Bristol VA just over the border. Highlights include the Bristol Caverns, but this city’s big attraction is the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Affiliated to the Smithsonian Institution, this museum tells the story of 1927 Bristol Sessions, which are regarded as the Big Bang of country music.
More Roanoke VA road trips
Atlanta to Roanoke VA | Roanoke VA to Charlottesville | Lynchburg VA to Roanoke | Richmond VA to Roanoke.
More Asheville NC road trips
Augusta GA to Asheville NC | Asheville to Charleston | Charlotte to Asheville | Chicago to Asheville | Columbia SC to Asheville | Durham NC to Asheville | Asheville to Gatlinburg | Greensboro to Asheville | Greenville SC to Asheville | Asheville to Myrtle Beach | Asheville to Orlando | Asheville to Pigeon Forge | Raleigh NC to Asheville | Richmond VA to Asheville NC | Asheville to Sevierville | Asheville to Tampa | Washington DC to Asheville | Asheville to Wilmington NC | Winston-Salem to Asheville.