Interstate 581 Virginia

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 581 in Virginia is a spur from Interstate 81 into the city of Roanoke. It is cosigned with U.S. 220 throughout the entire length. It is designated part of Future Interstate 73, and Interstate 581 will be decommissioned once Interstate 73 is completed in Virginia.

History

Interstate 581 opened initially from Interstate 81 south to U.S. 11A & 460 and Virginia 116 in 1966. Completion of the route southward to Virginia 24 occurred by 1970.¹

Highway Guides

• Interstate 581 Virginia

	Southern Terminus - U.S. 220 - Roanoke, Virginia Perspective from Interstate 581 south The Interstate 581 designation ends at downtown Roanoke, however the U.S. 220 freeway continues southward to Business U.S. 220/Franklin Road. An end shield is posted at milepost 0 as this photograph depicts. Photo taken by Brian LeBlanc (03/23/02). A second view of the Interstate 581 end shield assembly. U.S. 220 continues south from Roanoke to Rocky Mount, Martinsville, and eventually Greensboro, North Carolina. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (10/13/02). Perspective from Interstate 581 north Northbound beginning of Interstate 581 and the associated begin shield assembly. Interstate 581 utilizes Interstate 81 based control cities as it carries U.S. 220 northward. The freeway also serves Roanoke Regional Airport. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (12/29/03). Northern Terminus - Interstate 81 - north of Roanoke, Virginia Perspective from Interstate 581 north Interstate 581 at the northern terminus, Exit 1S and 1N for Interstate 81. U.S. 220 continues onto Interstate 81 northbound for seven miles to Daleville. Otherwise Interstate 81 northbound travels 57 miles to Lexington where Interstate 64 ties in for a 40 mile overlap. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (10/13/02). Second view of the Interstate 81 ramp split. Note the unusual configuration of the Exit 1 gore point sign in the background. Photo taken by Johnathan Lebowitz (12/27/02). Taking Exit 1S of Interstate 581 north leads underneath of the tri-level stack interchange with Interstate 81. The city of Salem awaits Interstate 81 southbound and is served by the next two interchanges. Bristol, Virginia is another 140 miles beyond Salem. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (10/13/02). Perspective from Interstate 81 north Overhead guide sign on Interstate 81 northbound for Exit 143/Interstate 581/U.S. 220 southbound. The first two exits of the Interstate spur serve the Regional Airport of Roanoke while downtown is just a five mile drive from Interstate 81. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (09/03/98). Night perspective of the same signage as Pictured above. This signage may some day display an Interstate 73 shield. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (05/29/95). Contextual view of Interstate 81 northbound at Exit 143/Interstate 581 south. U.S. 220 follows all of Interstate 581 from the south, and continues its Interstate overlap with Interstate 81 northward to Exit 150. Photo taken by Jim Teresco (08/14/02). A fourth view of the Exit 143 guide sign at the southbound beginning of Interstate 581. The next 3-digit stem of Interstate 81 is several hundred miles to the north at Syracuse, New York (Interstate 481). This may change if Penndot ever upgrades Pennsylvania 581 to Interstate status. The state highway currently travels along the Harrisburg Expressway outside the state capital. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (10/13/02). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 81 north Interstate 64 overlap begin 48 miles at Lexington, VA Interstate 64 overlap end 78 miles at Staunton, VA Interstate 66 157 miles at Middletown, VA Perspective from Interstate 81 south Exit 143 of Interstate 81 southbound departs from the left-hand lane. Photo taken by Richard B. Rogers (12/27/02). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 81 south Interstate 77 overlap begin 59 miles at Fort Chiswell, VA Interstate 77 overlap end 68 miles at Wytheville, VA Interstate 381 140 miles at Bristol, VA

Sources:

1. I-64 and branches (VAHighways).

Page Updated April 27, 2005.