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Trip from Beckley, WV to Morgantown, WV

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

168.7 mi

271 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States

Beckley, WV

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States

Morgantown, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Beckley to Morgantown, this 168.7-mile journey through West Virginia takes approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Because the total drive time is relatively short, you can easily manage this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 19, and Robert C. Byrd Drive. Budgeting around $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of the state, the drive maintains a consistent geographical feel throughout. Overall, it is a straightforward route that offers a practical way to traverse this part of the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.3 miles from Beckley, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with more varied road conditions. With a 40% highway share, you will encounter stretches that allow for steady pacing alongside sections that require more focused attention. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 90.3 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, serving as the core of your travel time. As you transition between the various designated routes, the road character shifts from the broader lanes of Robert C. Byrd Drive to the localized flow of US 19. Staying alert is key, as the changing road types mean you will need to adjust your driving style frequently to match the environment.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,421 ft 816 ft

Total Climb

1,790 ft

Total Descent

3,324 ft

Highest Point

2,421 ft

Elevation Range

1,605 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near WV 16 / Robert C. Byrd Drive.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (WV 16 / Robert C. Byrd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (US 19): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | WV 16 / Robert C. Byrd Drive

Turn right onto WV 16 / Robert C. Byrd Drive

Navigation decision point

7
5.3 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 19

Take the exit onto US 19 toward US 19 North: Summersville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 19 North: Summersville
7
72.5 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg
5
164.5 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
168.6 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | WV 7 / Walnut Street

Turn left onto WV 7 / Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 90.3 mi 1h 37m
US 19 67.2 mi 1h 22m
Robert C. Byrd Drive 4.6 mi 7m
Grafton Road 2.2 mi 3m
University Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
North Kanawha Street 0.8 mi 1m
I 68 0.7 mi <1m
Kirk Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Senator Jennings Randolph Highway — 90.3 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Beckley, WV and Morgantown, WV.

1

Start on WV 210

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Kanawha Street
2

Turn right onto WV 16

1.3 mi · 1 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive
3

Continue on US 19; WV 16

3.3 mi · 5 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive
4

Take the exit onto US 19

67 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US 19
Toward US 19 North: Summersville Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg
6

Merge onto I 79; US 19

90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 68 East: Cumberland
8

Continue on I 68

0.7 mi · 45 sec · I 68
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward US 119: Downtown
10

Keep slight left at fork

106 ft · 4 sec
11

Turn left onto US 119

2.2 mi · 3 min · Grafton Road
12

Continue on US 119

1.5 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
13

Turn right onto Kirk Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Kirk Street
14

Continue on Spruce Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Spruce Street
15

Turn left onto WV 7

300 ft · 12 sec · Walnut Street
16

Turn left onto High Street

64 ft · 2 sec · High Street
17

Arrive at destination

High Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 18 minute trip, consider planning for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Leaving early in the day is a smart strategy to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the primary corridors. Since you are covering 168.7 miles, monitor your fuel levels before starting the 90.3-mile stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, as this is your longest period away from services. Flexibility is a major advantage on this route, allowing you to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Keep your navigation tools handy for the transition points between the major highways to ensure you maintain a smooth pace toward Morgantown.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.3 miles from Beckley, WV, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.3 miles or 1h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morgantown, WV than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Beckley, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Beckley, WV

This is one driving day of about 168.7 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Beckley, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 90.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.3 mi from Beckley, WV · 1h 44m into the drive

Downtown Newtown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newtown, PA

84 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Newtown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newtown, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Beckley, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.3 miles.

Arriving in Morgantown, WV

The final approach into Morgantown, WV usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Morgantown, WV.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.38 one way

$52.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $28.85 $57.69
premium $4.70 $31.22 $62.45
diesel $5.61 $37.25 $74.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.6 0 $17.71 $8.10
Efficient EV 42.2 0 $14.76 $6.75
EV Truck/SUV 67.5 0 $23.62 $10.80

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Beckley, WV

Afternoon in Beckley on Tuesday

Local time

2:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Mostly Clear

NE 2 to 7 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Morgantown, WV

Afternoon in Morgantown on Tuesday

Local time

2:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 2 mph 2% chance Live forecast

74°F

Newtown, PA

84 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 18m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Beckley, WV to Morgantown, WV covers 168.7 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 19, Robert C. Byrd Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.3 miles from Beckley, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (WV 16 / Robert C. Byrd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (US 19): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Beckley, WV to Morgantown, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 816 ft to 2,421 ft elevation with about 1,790 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Morgantown, WV to Beckley, WV

Plan the drive back the other way.

169 mi 3h 18m

Explore more options from Beckley, WV or browse trips ending in Morgantown, WV.

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