Road Information

Interstate 581 in Virginia    
Total Mileage in State: 6.5 miles
Northern End: At I-81, in Roanoke
Southern End: At US 220/VA 24, in Roanoke
Mileage covered in Photos: 6.5 miles
Counties covered in Photos: Roanoke, City of Roanoke
Major Junctions in Photos: US 460, in Roanoke
Control Cities in Photos: Roanoke

Southbound

   

Merging onto Interstate 581 South from Interstate 81 North in Roanoke. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

The speed limit on Interstate 581 is 55 mph for its entire duration. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Take Exit 3E to the Airport. As you can see from this signage, Interstate 581 is unique in its exit numbering in the sense that the exit numbers are sequential and rather than using A-B-C for multi-directional exits, it uses the letter for pertaining the to compass direction the exit will take you in, similar to how many New England states number their exits. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South reassurance shield approaching Exits 2S-N. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at mile marker 6. Another feature which makes I-581 different is that while the mile markers go in descending order while heading south (normal), the exit numbers increase sequentially in number as you head south. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 2S: VA 117 South - Peters Creek Rd (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 2N: VA 117 North - Peters Creek Rd. Also at this point, I-581 South leaves Roanoke County to enter the City of Roanoke. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Future Interstate 73 Corridor marker on Interstate 581 South. Plans to extend Interstate 73 will one day re-designate I-581 to I-73. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 3W: VA 101 West - Hershberger Road (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 3E: VA 101 East - Hershberger Rd / Airport (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Another Interstate 581 South reassurance shield alongside a US 220 South marker. US 220 runs concurrently with I-581 for its full 6.5-mile length. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Take Exit 5 to the Historic Market District and Center In The Square. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 3C: Valley View Blvd. This exit is the only exception to the directional exit numbering on I-581, as it is the newest interchange along the route. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South / US 220 South reassurance markers. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Take Exit 4E to Berglund Center. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Also take Exit 4E for US 460 East to US 221 North and US 11 North toward Lynchburg. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Another Future Interstate 73 Corridor marker on Interstate 581 South approaching Exit 4W. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 4W: US 460 West - Orange Ave (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 4E: US 460 East - Orange Ave (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 5: US 11 South / US 220 Business South - Downtown (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Take Exit 5 (exit right now) to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Take Exit 6 to Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute as well as Jefferson College of Health Sciences. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South at Exit 6: VA 24 - Elm Ave (Photo taken 5/26/18).

Interstate 581 South END marker at mile marker 0, as it passes under Elm Ave. (Photo taken 5/26/18).

US 220 South will continue beyond the southern terminus of Interstate 581 through mostly rural areas in the Appalachians. (Photo taken 5/26/18).