Origin
Chesapeake, WV
Evening in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chesapeake, WV to Dunbar, WV
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
26m
Distance
20.3 mi
33 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesapeake, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit between Chesapeake and Dunbar, this 20.3-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect to spend roughly 26 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate through the Southeast region of West Virginia. The route is highly efficient, relying primarily on the West Virginia Turnpike, I-64, and Maccorkle Avenue to get you to your destination. With a modest fuel budget of just $3, this drive is exceptionally economical for local travel. Because the trip is so brief, there is no need to plan for overnight stays, making it a perfect low-stress commute or day trip. You will find this route serves as a practical link between these two West Virginia communities, prioritizing speed and accessibility over long-distance exploration.
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
10.2 miles from Chesapeake, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 87% of this drive takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time at cruising speeds, including a significant 11-mile uninterrupted stretch along the West Virginia Turnpike. While the transition from the Turnpike to I-64 and eventually Maccorkle Avenue creates some variety in the road surface, the overall character remains consistent and fast-paced. Do not look for winding, technical backroads here; this drive is designed for direct connectivity rather than leisurely wandering. Being behind the wheel feels like a standard interstate run, providing a predictable and stable environment for the duration of your 26-minute journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Virginia Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 11 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft
595 ft
Total Climb
308 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
~2.5 mi in
Elevation Range
102 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Virginia Turnpike and I 64. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
8
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Huntington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 101
Toward I 64 West: Huntington
5
19.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
5
20 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
20.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 East: Charleston
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 64 East: Charleston
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Turnpike | 11 mi | 13m |
| I 64 | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| Maccorkle Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| 10th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| WV 94 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 125th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Virginia Turnpike
— 11 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesapeake, WV and Dunbar, WV.
1
Start on 125th Street
7 ft
·
2 sec
·
125th Street
2
Turn right onto WV 61
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maccorkle Avenue
3
Turn left onto WV 94
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
WV 94
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
5
Merge onto I 64; I 77
11 mi
·
13 min
·
West Virginia Turnpike
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
I 64
Exit 101
Toward I 64 West: Huntington
Use the slight left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
8
Keep slight left at fork
72 ft
·
2 sec
9
Turn right onto CR 25/25
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
10th Street
10
Take the ramp
73 ft
·
1 sec
Toward I 64 East: Charleston
11
Arrive at destination
Toward I 64 East: Charleston
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero scheduled stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 20.3-mile distance in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks or mid-trip refueling. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the Turnpike, I-64, and the local streets of Maccorkle Avenue, as these interchanges require quick adjustments. Given the low $3 fuel cost, consider topping off your tank before you leave to avoid any unnecessary stops once you are underway. Use the brevity of this drive to your advantage by planning your arrival in Dunbar to coincide with your actual schedule, rather than worrying about long-haul pacing or fatigue.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.2 miles from Chesapeake, WV, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11 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 20.3 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.2 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunbar, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, WV
This is one driving day of about 20.3 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chesapeake, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on West Virginia Turnpike for about 11 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.2 mi from Chesapeake, WV · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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
Arriving in Dunbar, WV
The final approach into Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, 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
$3.17 one way
$6.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $3.47 | $6.94 |
| premium | $4.70 | $3.76 | $7.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.48 | $8.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.77
West Virginia Turnpike
(11 mi)
$0.77
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.13 | $0.97 |
| Efficient EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
Dunbar, WV
Evening in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
44 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
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chesapeake, WV to Dunbar, WV covers 20.3 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Virginia Turnpike, I 64, Maccorkle Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.2 miles from Chesapeake, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Chesapeake, WV to Dunbar, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 595 ft to 696 ft elevation with about 308 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dunbar, WV
More trips to Dunbar, WV
Explore more options from Chesapeake, WV or browse trips ending in Dunbar, WV.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WV road trips.
Explore maps for Chesapeake, WV or Dunbar, WV on MapSof.net.