We drove through Roanoke in 2021 and stopped for burgers at Jack Brown’s Joint. They were amazing. The Star on Mill Mountain was there the whole time. Roanoke is worth more than a drive-through.
Roanoke sits in a valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Virginia — the largest city in western Virginia, a railroad hub that became a regional center, and a place most people on I-81 drive through without stopping. We drove through in 2021 and stopped for burgers at Jack Brown’s Joint. They were genuinely amazing — the kind of burger that makes you remember the specific exit number. The Star on Mill Mountain was visible from the city below the whole time, which is what the Star is for. Roanoke is worth more than a drive-through.
Is Roanoke Worth Stopping For?
Yes — here’s what to do with a few hours or a full day.
Jack Brown’s Joint
The cult burger spot with a Roanoke location — smash burgers, creative toppings, the kind of place that has a following for good reason. We stopped in 2021 and the burgers were genuinely excellent. Don’t skip it.
Search HotelsThe Roanoke Star
The Mill Mountain Star — an 88.5-foot neon star on Mill Mountain visible for 60 miles. Drive up Mill Mountain for the star and the overlook view of Roanoke and the surrounding mountains. The best view of the city and the valley.
Search HotelsCity Market Building
The historic City Market has been operating in downtown Roanoke since 1882 — farmers market, local vendors, restaurants. The surrounding Market Square is the social center of downtown Roanoke. Worth an hour on a weekend morning.
Search HotelsLexington — 35 Minutes
Lexington is 35 minutes northeast of Roanoke on I-81 — VMI, Washington & Lee, Natural Bridge, one of the best preserved downtowns in the South. Roanoke and Lexington together make a complete western Virginia day.
Lexington GuideJack Brown’s Joint
Jack Brown’s Joint is a Virginia burger institution with a cult following — smash burgers on a flattop, creative toppings, the kind of place that people in the know seek out specifically rather than stumble into. The Roanoke location is on Campbell Avenue in the heart of downtown.
We stopped in 2021 on a drive through and the burgers were genuinely excellent — the kind of meal that makes you remember exactly where you were. The smash burger technique produces a crispy, caramelized crust that a thick patty can’t replicate. The toppings are creative without being precious. Jack Brown’s has expanded to multiple Virginia locations and they maintain the quality. Worth a stop specifically rather than just if you happen to be passing. jackbrownsjoint.com
The Mill Mountain Star
The Roanoke Star is an 88.5-foot neon star on Mill Mountain — erected in 1949 as a Christmas decoration and kept permanently after the city decided it looked too good to take down. It’s visible for 60 miles on a clear day. Drive up Mill Mountain to the star overlook for the best view of Roanoke spread across the valley with the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies on either side. The overlook is free, the drive is easy, and the view is one of the better ones in western Virginia.
Downtown Roanoke
Downtown Roanoke has been through significant revitalization — the City Market Building, the Taubman Museum of Art (Frank Gehry-designed, the most architecturally significant building in Roanoke), the Hotel Roanoke, the surrounding restaurants and bars. The Hotel Roanoke itself dates to 1882 and anchors the downtown in a way that gives it a historical weight most smaller cities don’t have.
Outdoor Recreation
Roanoke’s position in the Blue Ridge Mountains gives it access to serious outdoor recreation. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes nearby — the 469-mile scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail crosses through the region. McAfee Knob, one of the most photographed spots on the entire AT, is about 30 minutes from downtown Roanoke.
Search Roanoke Hotels
The Hotel Roanoke is the historic anchor property. Strong chain hotel inventory throughout the city for I-81 travelers. Roanoke works well as an overnight stop between DC and points south.
Quick Reference: Roanoke Virginia
| Category | The Answer |
|---|---|
| From DC | ~240 miles via I-66 West and I-81 South — about 4 hours |
| From Charlotte | ~200 miles via I-77 North and I-81 North — about 3 hours |
| The burger | Jack Brown’s Joint — Campbell Avenue downtown, don’t skip it |
| The landmark | Mill Mountain Star — drive up for the city and mountain views |
| Best architecture | Taubman Museum of Art — Frank Gehry design, free admission |
| Historic hotel | Hotel Roanoke — since 1882, the downtown anchor |
| Hiking nearby | McAfee Knob — 30 min, most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail |
| Pair with | Lexington — 35 min northeast on I-81 |
Most people on I-81 drive past Roanoke without stopping. Most of them are missing Jack Brown’s burgers, the view from Mill Mountain, and a downtown that has more going on than the highway suggests. Take the exit. It’s worth it.