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Drive Time
2h 49m
Distance
149.2 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
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
Moundsville, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Charleston to Moundsville covers 149.2 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is relatively efficient, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it an ideal candidate for a straightforward day trip. Expect to spend around $24 on fuel for the trek, which primarily utilizes I-77, North State Rt. 2, and 2nd Street. Both your starting point in Charleston and your destination in Moundsville are located within the Southeast region of West Virginia. The route is highly practical for those looking to traverse the state without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel logistics simple and budget-friendly.
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
74.6 miles from Charleston, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
This trip features a highway-focused profile, with 62% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 78.7 miles along I-77. As you transition off the interstate and onto North State Rt. 2, the driving environment shifts from rapid highway transit to a more localized experience. Navigating the final approach into Moundsville via 2nd Street provides a change of pace from the earlier interstate grind. Expect a steady, functional commute that balances quick highway travel with the necessary connections to reach your destination.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
800 ft
Total Descent
701 ft
Highest Point
931 ft
~24.9 mi in
Elevation Range
335 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Charleston, WV to Moundsville, WV is easy. At 2h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Charleston, WV to Moundsville, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Capitol Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Smith Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 77 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WV 2 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Emerson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 2 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, WV and Moundsville, WV.
Start on Dickinson Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Christopher Street
Turn right onto Capitol Street
Turn left onto Smith Street
Turn left
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North: Parkersburg
Keep slight left to continue on I 77 North: Parkersburg
Take the exit slight right toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Keep slight right to continue on WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Continue on Emerson Avenue
Continue on State Route 2
Continue on 2nd Street
Turn right onto Wells Street
Continue on Vine Street
Continue on 3rd Street
Continue on North State Route 2
Continue on North State Rt. 2
Turn right onto 7th Street
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Street
Arrive at your destination
To make the most of your 2-hour and 49-minute drive, aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion on major thoroughfares. Given the 149.2-mile distance, planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the journey and stay refreshed behind the wheel. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge, as budgeting $24 for gas ensures you have enough to cover the entire distance without stress. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about overnight logistics. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition between the high-speed sections of I-77 and the more moderate pace of state highways to ensure a smooth arrival in Moundsville.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 24m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moundsville, 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 149.2 miles and 2h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.6 mi from Charleston, WV · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 74.6 miles from Charleston, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Moundsville, 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 Moundsville, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.33 one way
$46.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.51 | $51.02 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.61 | $55.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.94 | $65.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.67 | $7.16 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.05 | $5.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Moundsville on Tuesday
Local time
4:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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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