Lewisburg to Blacksburg: Appalachian Road Trip Guide

This route follows US-219 and US-460 for 117 miles, climbing from the Greenbrier Valley at 2,200 feet to the New River Valley at 2,100 feet, with a summit near 3,500 feet at Salt Pond Mountain.

The drive typically takes 2 hours 15 minutes without stops, but the region's geological history—part of the ancient Allegheny Plateau, folded over 300 million years ago—begs for exploration.

This guide will help you plan the best stops Lewisburg, WV to Blacksburg, VA, answer how long to drive Lewisburg, WV to Blacksburg, VA, and decide if it's worth driving Lewisburg, WV to Blacksburg, VA.

For more on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, check our expert tips.

The route traverses the Monongahela National Forest and Jefferson National Forest. Key natural attractions include the Greenbrier River (parallels US-219 for 20 miles), Peters Mountain (visible east of Union), and the New River (crossed at Pembroke).

• Greenbrier State Forest: 30 miles south of Lewisburg, but worth a detour for hiking
• Falling Spring Falls: 5 miles north of Covington on US-220, a 200-foot waterfall
• Mountain Lake (from 'Dirty Dancing' filming site): 15 miles east of Pembroke on VA-635

Local commerce centers on Lewisburg's historic district (shops, galleries) and Blacksburg's downtown (restaurants, breweries). Union has an antique mall; Pembroke has a country store.

• Lewisburg Farmer's Market: Saturdays May-Oct
• Union's Loblolly Winery: tastings daily
• Blacksburg's Cellar Restaurant: pub fare

US-219 is a two-lane rural highway with sections of 55 mph, while US-460 is a divided four-lane highway from Pembroke to Blacksburg. Fuel is available in Lewisburg, Union, and Blacksburg; the stretch between Union and Pembroke has no gas stations for 40 miles.

• Lewisburg: multiple stations near I-64 exit 169
• Union: one station on Main Street
• Pembroke: one station at VA-460 intersection
• Blacksburg: numerous stations near Virginia Tech

Average fuel cost for this route (2025 estimate): $0.17/mile for a sedan. Toll-free entire route.

Cellular coverage: AT&T and Verizon work on most of US-219; T-Mobile has dead zones near the state line. Download offline maps before departure.

Road quality: US-219 has narrow shoulders and tight curves; US-460 is well-maintained. Watch for deer, especially at dawn/dusk. Fatigue management: rest areas exist at the Greenbrier River Trail parking lot (mile 15) and the Jefferson NF welcome center (mile 70).

• Rest stop 1: Greenbrier River Trailhead (restrooms, parking)
• Rest stop 2: Mountain Lake overlook (no facilities)
• Rest stop 3: Pembrome rest area (restrooms, picnic tables)

Pet-friendly: most outdoor stops allow leashed pets; Blacksburg has multiple dog parks. Family-friendly: Lewisburg has a children's museum; Blacksburg has the Virginia Tech museum. Hidden off-route spot: the abandoned railroad tunnel near Union (short hike required).