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Roanoke to Washington DC train

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Roanoke - Washington DC Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Roanoke to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Roanoke to Washington DC usually takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 4 hours and 58 minutes.

Distance194 mi (313 km)
Fastest train4h 58m
Lowest price$24.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Roanoke to Washington

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Deborah

July 24, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

We had a wonderful trip! Definitely would do again. So nice not to drive in the DC traffic

5.0

Nikki

May 8, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Every thing

5.0

Ann R

December 11, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The convenience of traveling round trip for a short visit. Cons: Providing parking for riders with tickets. Tips: Know where to park and beware that trains cannot always be on time. Allow yourself ample time.

4.0

Clair

October 16, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I liked the pretty views, comfy seat, and conductor. Cons: The girl sitting next to me was coughing a great deal and wearing no mask, more signs requesting that people wear a mask. Tips: Good wifi, so bring work to do! Also please wear a mask.

5.0

Susanne

October 14, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Not driving. The ride went quicker than expected. Full train = poor wifi. Cons: Wifi expantion. Cheaper cafe items. Tips: Wear comfy cloths, bring something to do.

What is the price of a train ticket from Roanoke to Washington DC?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Roanoke and Washington cost $24.00, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 22 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $40.85 more.

Average prices by travel date

$75$50$25AprApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Roanoke to Washington DC will range from $24 to $70. If you're planning to travel by train to Washington in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Roanoke you can find in the next 7 days is $24. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Roanoke to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only $24. If you're thinking of traveling from Roanoke to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $51 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Roanoke to Washington, book online with Wanderu at least 22 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $40.85 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Roanoke to Washington DC?

Amtrak Northeast Regional is the one and only train line which connects Roanoke to Washington. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Northeast Regional25h 3m$41.68

  • The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 2 daily train trips from Roanoke to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Roanoke and Washington DC is approximately 194 miles, or 313 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 58 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Trains departing from Roanoke to Washington DC tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Roanoke at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Roanoke twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Washington DC with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Roanoke.

City Information

Roanoke

Roanoke, VA - RNK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Roanoke, VA - RNK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Roanoke, VA - RNK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

The idyllic city of Roanoke sits against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's the site of the famous Appalachian Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, and Smith Mountain Lake. Fun and adventure are indeed the best things that Roanoke has to offer, especially if you start your visit at the iconic Roanoke Star, the largest man-made neon light that gets illuminated every night.

The Blue Ridge is one of Roanoke's major tourist attractions. Experience the Blue Ridge Day tour package to fully explore the area's history, heritage, culture, and entertainment. Make sure that your adventure includes The Crooked Road, Virginia Museum of Transportation, and Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, among others.

To enjoy Roanoke's nightlife, try doing the Downtown Roanoke Bar Crawl. That's how you get to enjoy exquisite craft beers from the city's finest breweries. If you want to shop, there's a wide selection of antiques and farmer's produce for sale in the Blue Ridge area.

Getting around Roanoke is easy with the Valley Metro bus line. This bus service covers not just the City of Roanoke but Vinton and Salem as well. There's also the Star Line Trolley that connects Downtown Roanoke and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. To travel to other exciting destinations, Amtrak trains and Jefferson Lines, OurBus, and Wanda Coach buses provide service to cities including Richmond, Atlanta, and New York.

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Roanoke?

55 Norfolk Ave SW -{"city":"Roanoke","country":"US","postal":"24011","state":"VA","street1":"55 Norfolk Ave SW"} - RNKAMT-0

Image credit: Joe Ross

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 55 Norfolk Ave SW

The Roanoke Greyhound Station is right in the heart of the city- not too far from the Amtrak station. The bus stop itself is basically just a waiting room, but it does offer indoor seating and has a few vending machines if you want to stock up on snacks. For a more substantial meal, several restaurants and fast-food classics like McDonald's are within easy walking distance.

All train stations in Roanoke:

  • 55 Norfolk Ave SW

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

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