Interstate Travel Information

Interstate 581 Virginia

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.

Highway Guides

Interstate 581 Virginia

Mileage

State Mileage Cities Junctions
Virginia 6.64 Roanoke Interstate 81, Future Interstate 73
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

Interstate 581 Virginia Annual Average Daily Traffic

County	From	To	AADT North	AADT South	AADT Composite
City of Roanoke	Virginia 24/U.S. 220 Webber Expwy.	U.S. 11/Williamson Road	39,000	32,000	71,000
City of Roanoke	U.S. 11/Williamson Road	U.S. 460/Orange Avenue	43,000	36,000	78,000
City of Roanoke	U.S. 460/Orange Avenue	Virginia 101/Hershberger Rd.	31,000	31,000	62,000
City of Roanoke	Virginia 101/Hershberger Rd.	Virginia 117/Peters Creek Rd.	29,000	29,000	58,000
Roanoke	Virginia 117/Peters Creek Rd.	Interstate 81	24,000	26,000	50,000
Source: Virginia Department of Transportation 2002 AADT

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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 depicted 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

Page Updated April 27, 2005.