Transportation & Infrastructure
Transportation & Infrastructure

Everything You Need to Go the Distance

Doing business is just easier in the Roanoke Region. From roads, rails, and air, getting your product produced and into the hands of people who matter is a breeze. The area is served by a Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone, UPS and FedEx both operate air freight hubs, and major freight and package express companies serve the region. We’ve built quite a reputation as a logistics hub as approximately 70 trucking lines serve the area with local, state, and interstate service.

3


Major Rail Lines

9


Non-Stop Flight Locations

2/3


of U.S. in a Day’s Drive

Direct Flights

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport can get you there. Non-stop connection services are provided through the major airline hubs, making travel to and from the Roanoke Region convenient.

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport provides non-stop flight service to and from the following destinations:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Chicago, IL (O’Hare)
  • Nashville, TN
  • Orlando, FL
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • St. Petersburg, FL
  • Washington, D.C. (Dulles)
  • New York, NY (LaGuardia)

Major Rail Lines

The Roanoke Region is served by Norfolk Southern and CSX for freight. The region is located on the Heartland  and Crescent Corridors of Norfolk Southern. The Heartland is a direct, high-capacity route that spans from the Port of Virginia to distribution markets in the Midwest. The Crescent spans 11 states and is one of fastest, most direct routes from the Southeast to the Northeast with convenient connections to Mexico and Los Angeles. Norfolk Southern also operates a bulk transfer terminal in Roanoke. 

Amtrak

Amtrak provides daily passenger service to the Northeast (Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston and others) from the station in downtown Roanoke, and to Chicago via the station in Clifton Forge. 


Major Highways & Interstates

The Roanoke Region boasts a well-connected and efficient network of major highways that play a pivotal role in fostering commerce and economic growth. Anchored by Interstate 81, which runs north-south, and Interstate 64, which traverses east-west, the region’s highways form vital corridors facilitating the seamless transportation of goods and services. These roadways not only link Roanoke to key urban centers like Richmond, Washington D.C., and Charlotte, but also provide easy access to major ports and markets. The strategic positioning of these highways ensures businesses in the Roanoke region can efficiently transport their products and connect with suppliers, customers, and industries across a wide geographic expanse, enhancing the area’s appeal as a vibrant and dynamic economic hub.


Major Cities and Distance from the Roanoke Region

CityDistance by car (miles)Distance by Air (miles)
Atlanta, GA430356
Baltimore, MD281221
Charlotte, NC194155
Chicago, IL722531
Detroit, MI588382
Greensboro, NC10585
Indianapolis, IN531380
Knoxville, TN255239
New York, NY476396
Norfolk, VA245204
Philadelphia, PA403310
Raleigh, NC156120
St. Louis, MO686575
Washington, DC251194