A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Roanoke for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Roanoke. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Blue Ridge or Roanoke?

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Which place is cheaper, Roanoke or Blue Ridge?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Blue Ridge is $124, while the average daily cost in Roanoke is $164. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Blue Ridge and Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Blue Ridge $67
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Blue Ridge $134
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Blue Ridge and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Blue Ridge or Roanoke? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Blue Ridge


Hotels in Roanoke


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Blue Ridge Hotel Prices and Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Blue Ridge $34
    Roanoke $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Blue Ridge or Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke and Blue Ridge change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Blue Ridge $35
    Roanoke $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Blue Ridge $18
    Roanoke $35

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Blue Ridge $20
    Roanoke $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Roanoke would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roanoke than you might in Blue Ridge.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Roanoke?

Roanoke is bigger, and its population is about 77.3 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the population of Blue Ridge vs. Roanoke, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Roanoke.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Blue Ridge 81°F (27°C) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Roanoke.

Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the autumn, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge usually gets less rain in October than Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Blue Ridge 63°F (17°C) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Blue Ridge can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Blue Ridge is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).

Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than Roanoke during winter. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In January, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Blue Ridge 40°F (5°C) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Blue Ridge during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the spring, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in April than Roanoke. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Blue Ridge 62°F (17°C) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Blue Ridge vs. Roanoke Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.