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City guide

Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke is an independent city in Virginia, United States. It lies in Southwest Virginia along the Roanoke River, within the Blue Ridge range of the greater Appalachian Mountains.

Type CityPopulation 100,011Metro Area Population 315,251

Why go

  • Independent city in the United States.
  • Served by Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA).

History

Roanoke is an independent city in Virginia, United States. It lies in Southwest Virginia along the Roanoke River, within the Blue Ridge range of the greater Appalachian Mountains. Roanoke is about 50 miles (80 km) north of the Virginia–North Carolina border and 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Washington, D.C., along Interstate 81. At the 2020 census, Roanoke's population was 100,011, making it the most populous city in Virginia west of the state capital, Richmond. It is the primary population center of the Roanoke metropolitan area, which had a population of 315,251 in 2020.

Airports

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) 3.9 mi to the centre
Roanoke, VA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 8 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 9 destinations incl. Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 8 airlines, 9 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (BCB) 26 mi to the centre
Blacksburg, VA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Summit Airport 6.6 mi to the centre
Salem, VA, US
Outdoor
Ferguson Airport 14 mi to the centre
Wirtz, VA, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA); 21 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ROA has direct flights to 9 destinations on 8 airlines (incl. Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago…).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Roanoke, Virginia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Metro · Roanoke, Virginia · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach