Sunset at a mountain overlook on the drive up to Snowshoe

Getting here from Roanoke

Roanoke to Snowshoe

closest of the bunch, and it shows

Roanoke is the shortest drive on this list, and it does not touch Staunton or Monterey at all. US-220 runs north out of the city through Troutville, Fincastle, and Eagle Rock to Clifton Forge, then a short jog onto I-64 east picks up VA-42 north into Bath County. VA-42 becomes VA-39 around Warm Springs country and crosses into West Virginia as WV-39, which drops you straight into Marlinton. From there it is the same last 30 miles as the Charlotte and Charleston drives: US-219 north through Edray to Slatyfork, then the climb up Route 66 from Par Mar. Google Maps calls this the fastest way out of Roanoke, and unlike most of the routes on this page, it already brings you up the main entrance, not the steep Cass side. A close second option, about the same time, runs VA-311 north out of Roanoke through Craig County to WV-92, then WV-39 into Marlinton the same way.

Drive time

3 to 3.5 hours

from downtown, normal conditions, no stops

Distance

about 135 to 140 miles

to the Village at 4,848 feet

Check-in

4:00 PM

your code works whenever you arrive

Live road conditions, WV 511 ↗Summit forecast All routes and airports

The route

The way people actually go

Put Snowshoe Mountain Resort in the GPS for the long part. Once you pass the Route 66 turn in Slatyfork, switch to the exact pin we send you; street addresses on the mountain resolve to the resort entrance, not the door.

The other way

The next-fastest option, within a few minutes of the first: VA-311 north out of Roanoke through Catawba and New Castle to WV-92 north, then WV-39 west into Marlinton the same way. If you already know the DC-style route from a different trip, I-81 north to Staunton and US-250 west through Monterey and Cass works too, but from Roanoke it is the slowest of the three and ends at the steeper Cass climb instead of the main entrance.

1
US-220 north from Roanoke through Troutville, Fincastle, and Eagle Rock to Clifton Forge, about an hour of four-lane and two-lane.
2
A short jog east on I-64 to VA-42 north, then VA-42 through Bath County to Warm Springs country, where the road becomes VA-39 and crosses into West Virginia as WV-39.
3
WV-39 west into Marlinton. Turn right onto US-219 N/Seneca Trail and follow it north through Edray to Slatyfork, about 20 miles of two-lane valley road.
4
Turn right onto Route 66 at Par Mar and climb about 15 minutes to the resort gate and our pin.

Where to stop

The last grocery, the last gas, the climb

In order. There is one small grocery on the mountain and no gas at all, so the tank and the first night's dinner get sorted on the way in.

Every stop, with hours

1 · Last full grocery
Pocahontas IGA, Marlinton
US-219 (Seneca Trail) on the north side of Marlinton, about 30 to 40 minutes south of the resort
The only full grocery in Marlinton and the last one from the south: meat counter, produce, deli. Marlinton also has a Marathon and an Exxon on US-219 and a pharmacy; it is the last real town on this side.
2 · Last gas
Par Mar
US-219 at the Route 66 turn in Slatyfork, about 25 minutes below the Village
Exxon pumps, the last gas before the climb and the only gas near the mountain. Ice, firewood, coffee, hot food. Open from 8am until 10pm, later on Friday and Saturday. Fill up here.
3 · The climb
Route 66, the climb
From Par Mar to the resort gate, about 15 minutes
Steady, winding, paved, plowed the whole way, with a few switchbacks. Route 66 Restaurant and Board Shop at the bottom is the last meal below the mountain; nothing else is open on the way up. Drive it in daylight the first time.
4 · On the mountain
Wildcat Grocery
At the Village, a five-minute walk from the Summit condos
Also listed on some map apps as Wildcat Grocery, same store. Milk, eggs, bread, some produce and meat, hot coffee, and the biggest beer cave on the mountain. Resort prices. Hours shrink in the closed seasons.

Best arrival time

Be on the mountain road in daylight

Leave Roanoke by noon for the 4pm check-in with a stop in Marlinton. In winter, leave by 11am so Bath County and the last valley road are both in daylight.

Cell service fades on US-219 and most of the climb. Download offline maps and our check-in message before you leave, and send the "almost there" text from Par Mar, the last reliable bar of signal.

Parking at our homes

Winter notes

From Roanoke in ski season

the last ten miles are the trip

Whichever way you come, you end the drive climbing about 2,000 feet on a plowed two-lane road. Here is what we tell every winter guest, plus the parts that are specific to your route.

WV 511 road conditions ↗Roads and tires

US-220 through Botetourt and Alleghany counties and VA-39/WV-39 through Bath County both climb and drop repeatedly. They are maintained state and US routes, not forest roads, but a Virginia byway like VA-39 gets plowed after the interstates do. Check WV 511 and Virginia's 511virginia.org before you leave.
This route already comes up the main entrance from Par Mar, not the steeper Cass side, so there is no separate snow detour to remember here the way there is from DC or Richmond. Just slow down through Bath County.
The last 10 miles climb about 2,000 feet from the valley to the Village at 4,848 feet. It snows at the top when it rains at the base.
AWD or 4WD with real tread is the honest recommendation from December to March. The resort plows and treats the road; in six seasons no guest has needed chains. Keep a set in the trunk if it makes you feel better.
Check WV 511 for live plow and closure status before you leave, and again at your last stop with signal.
Aim to reach the bottom of the climb before dark. Winter sunset at Snowshoe is about 5pm. Your door code works whenever you arrive, so a late, slow climb beats a fast one.

Questions

Roanoke to Snowshoe FAQ

Anything else, . We answer within the hour, and we would rather you ask than guess on a mountain road.

How long is the drive from Roanoke to Snowshoe?

About 3 to 3.5 hours from downtown in normal conditions with no stops, about 135 to 140 miles: US-220 north through Clifton Forge, VA-42 and VA-39 through Bath County, WV-39 into Marlinton, then US-219 north and the climb from Par Mar. It is the shortest drive on this list. Add 30 to 45 minutes in snow.

What is the best route from Roanoke to Snowshoe?

US-220 north to Clifton Forge, then VA-42 and VA-39 through Bath County, which becomes WV-39 at the state line and drops into Marlinton. From there it's US-219 north to Slatyfork and the climb up Route 66 from Par Mar, the same main entrance Charlotte and Charleston use. A second option, about the same time, swaps in VA-311 and WV-92 instead. Both beat going up through Staunton and Monterey, which is slower from Roanoke and ends at the steeper Cass climb.

Where is the last grocery store between Roanoke and Snowshoe?

Pocahontas IGA on US-219 in Marlinton, about 30 to 40 minutes south of the resort, is the last full grocery. Covington, a few minutes off the route past Clifton Forge, has a Food Lion, a Kroger, and a Walmart if you would rather shop before the mountains start. Wildcat Grocery at the Village covers basics once you arrive.

Coming from somewhere else?