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Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
124 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charleston, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Clarksburg, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Charleston to Clarksburg is a straightforward journey covering 124 miles across West Virginia. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 17 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, I-77, and Philippi Pike. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should be sufficient for the round trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the transitions between these areas are seamless. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a direct link between the two hubs without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62 miles from Charleston, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
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Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. While you will spend time on major thoroughfares, the route is characterized by a significant 116.9-mile stretch along the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. This segment accounts for the bulk of your travel time and defines the personality of the trip. With only about 2% of the total journey spent on traditional high-speed interstates, you should anticipate a more technical driving experience than a typical highway cruise. The road requires constant engagement, so stay alert as the terrain shifts throughout the 124-mile trek.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,523 ft
Total Descent
1,128 ft
Highest Point
1,299 ft
~93 mi in
Elevation Range
703 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Christopher Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 124 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Christopher Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Capitol Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Smith Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Christopher Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Capitol Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Smith Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 116.9 mi | 2h 5m |
| I 77 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Philippi Pike | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Philippi PIke | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Pike Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Anmoore Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Broadway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, WV and Clarksburg, WV.
Start on Dickinson Street
At end of road, turn left onto Christopher Street
Turn right onto Capitol Street
Turn left onto Smith Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 64; I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 79
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto WV 58
At end of road, turn right onto WV 58
Continue on CR 23/9
Continue on CR 23/9
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto East Main Street
Turn right onto Monticello Avenue
Turn left onto WV 20
Turn left onto South Chestnut Street
Turn left onto WV 20
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You will not need to plan for formal stops to reach your destination within the 2-hour and 17-minute timeframe, but keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be tiring. Since the longest stretch covers nearly 117 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway to avoid any mid-trip stress. Given the winding character of the route, check the weather forecast before you head out, as local road conditions can change quickly in this part of West Virginia.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksburg, WV than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Charleston, 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 Charleston, WV
This is one driving day of about 124 miles and 2h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62 mi from Charleston, WV · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62 miles from Charleston, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.9 miles.
The final approach into Clarksburg, 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 Clarksburg, WV.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.39 one way
$38.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.20 | $42.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.95 | $45.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.02 | $5.95 |
| Efficient EV | 31 | 0 | $10.85 | $4.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.36 | $7.94 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Clarksburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
74°F
Newtown, PA
62 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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