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Trip from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

286 mi

460 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 16m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 21m

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

capital city of West Virginia, United States

Charleston, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Inwood, WV, WV

Inwood, WV

Federated Art

Trip Overview

The drive from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV covers 286 miles and takes about 5h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 48, Corridor H for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.9 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.72 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

143 miles from Charleston, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The drive from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV covers 286 miles and takes about 5h 29m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 97.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Christopher Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 286 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.7 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Christopher Street

At end of road, turn left onto Christopher Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Capitol Street

Turn right onto Capitol Street

Navigation decision point

7
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 77

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
5
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway toward I 79 North: Clarksburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
7
100.8 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 33 West, , US 119 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 33 West, , US 119 South

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Buckhannon along the way.

Buckhannon

100.5 mi in | ~1h 49m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 97.9 mi 1h 44m
US 48 71.3 mi 1h 22m
Corridor H 40.5 mi 47m
I 81 21.6 mi 23m
Parsons Road 14.7 mi 16m
Pennsylvania Avenue 13.3 mi 15m
Middle Road 5.5 mi 8m
Wardensville Pike 5.4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Senator Jennings Randolph Highway — 97.9 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, WV and Inwood, WV.

1

Start on Dickinson Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Dickinson Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto Christopher Street

264 ft · 13 sec · Christopher Street
3

Turn right onto Capitol Street

311 ft · 17 sec · Capitol Street
4

Turn left onto Smith Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Smith Street
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 23 sec
6

Merge onto I 64; I 77

0.1 mi · 7 sec · I 64; I 77
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79

98 mi · 1 hr 44 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 33, US 48, US 119: Weston, Buckhannon
10

Keep slight left at fork

244 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 33 West, , US 119 South
11

Turn right onto US 33; US 48; US 119

41 mi · 47 min · Corridor H
12

Turn right onto US 48; US 219

15 mi · 16 min · Parsons Road
13

Turn right onto US 48; US 219; WV 72

0.4 mi · 28 sec · 1st Street
14

Continue on US 48; US 219; WV 72

13 mi · 15 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
15

At end of road, turn right onto US 48; WV 32

512 ft · 6 sec · Spruce Street
16

Turn slight right onto US 48; WV 32

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Avenue
17

Turn left onto US 48; WV 93

65 mi · 1 hr 15 min · US 48; WV 93
18

Continue on US 48; WV 55; WV 259

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 48; WV 55; WV 259
19

Turn right onto US 48; WV 55

5.1 mi · 5 min · US 48; WV 55
20

Continue on US 48; VA 55

5.4 mi · 6 min · Wardensville Pike
21

Continue on US 48; VA 55

4.9 mi · 5 min · John Marshall Highway
22

Turn sharp left onto SR 628

5.5 mi · 8 min · Middle Road
23

Turn right onto SR 631

3.3 mi · 5 min · Marlboro Road
24

Continue on SR 631

0.6 mi · 1 min · Fairfax Street
25

Continue on VA 277

359 ft · 17 sec · Fairfax Pike
26

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 15 sec
27

Merge onto I 81

22 mi · 23 min · I 81
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward WV 51: Inwood, Charles Town
29

Enter roundabout onto WV 51

49 ft · 0 sec · Gerrardstown Road
30

Continue on WV 51

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Gerrardstown Road
31

Enter roundabout onto WV 51

140 ft · 2 sec · Gerrardstown Road
32

Continue on WV 51

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Gerrardstown Road
33

Continue on US 11

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Winchester Avenue
34

Turn right onto CR 11/22

118 ft · 5 sec · True Apple Way
35

Arrive at destination

CR 11/22

Trip Plan

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 143 miles from Charleston, WV, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.9 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 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143 miles or 2h 39m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 25m

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

Before You Leave

+

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 286 miles and 5h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charleston, 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 97.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143 mi from Charleston, WV · 2h 39m into the drive

town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, MD

143 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.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143 miles from Charleston, 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 97.9 miles.

Arriving in Inwood, WV

The final approach into Inwood, 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 Inwood, 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

$44.72 one way

$89.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $48.90 $97.80
premium $4.70 $52.93 $105.87
diesel $5.61 $63.15 $126.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.8 1 $30.03 $13.73
Efficient EV 71.5 0 $25.03 $11.44
EV Truck/SUV 114.4 1 $40.04 $18.30

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 36 minutes ago

Origin

Charleston, WV

Night in Charleston on Tuesday

Local time

9:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Inwood, WV

Night in Inwood on Tuesday

Local time

9:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Oakland, MD

143 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

12 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

5h 29m on the road

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV covers 286 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 48, Corridor H. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143 miles from Charleston, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.72 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 286 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 0.7 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charleston, WV to Inwood, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Buckhannon along the way.

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