Origin
Chester, WV
Evening in Chester on Tuesday
Local time
6:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chester, WV to Fairmont, WV
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
111.9 mi
180 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Chester to Fairmont, this 103-mile trek takes approximately 1 hour and 59 minutes to complete. Because the duration is under two hours, you can easily tackle this drive as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Carolina Avenue, US 22 East, and PA Turnpike 576 West. Budget roughly $16 for fuel to cover the distance between these two West Virginia locations. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, this route offers a direct path that keeps you within the state's southeastern region for the duration of your journey.
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
56 miles from Chester, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this journey. With a 0% highway share, you will remain on local roads throughout the entire 103-mile trip. The drive demands your full attention as you navigate winding segments, particularly since there are no long, straight stretches like the zero-mile uninterrupted run on Carolina Avenue. You will find that the road's personality remains consistent, favoring technical, localized driving over high-speed highway travel. Keep your hands on the wheel and be prepared for frequent adjustments as you progress through the turns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Southern Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WV 2 / Carolina Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 111.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WV 2 / Carolina Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WV 2 / Carolina Avenue
Turn left onto WV 2 / Carolina Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
23.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsyl...
5
24 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvani...
8
48.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 79
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79 toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morgantown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morg...
8
52 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 79
Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chester, WV and Fairmont, WV, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport, Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania and Morgantown.
Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania
23.7 mi in
|
~39m
Airport
23.7 mi in
|
~39m
Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
24 mi in
|
~40m
Morgantown
48.5 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via I 79
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 58.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Southern Beltway | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| PA 168 | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| US 22 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| US 30 | 5 mi | 8m |
| PA 18 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, WV and Fairmont, WV.
1
Start on this road
36 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto WV 2
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Carolina Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
4
Merge onto US 30
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
US 30
5
Turn right onto PA 168
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
PA 168
6
Continue on PA 18
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 18
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 22 East: Pittsburgh
8
Merge onto US 22
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
US 22
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
11
Merge onto PA Tpke 576
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Southern Beltway
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 South: Washington
13
Merge onto I 79
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Raymond P Shafer Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 79
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morgantown
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 70; I 79
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit onto I 79
58 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 79
Exit 21
Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
18
Turn left onto WV 273
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
19
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
122 ft
·
2 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
20
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
21
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
22
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
23
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Jefferson Street
24
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep that $16 fuel estimate in mind as you head out, and ensure your tank is ready for the technical, turn-heavy nature of the route. Because you won't be spending time on major interstates, plan for a steady pace rather than quick highway transit. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert on Carolina Avenue early on, as the lack of long, straight stretches means you will be navigating bends from the very beginning of your departure.
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 56 miles from Chester, WV, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56 miles or 1h 20m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmont, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chester, 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 Chester, WV
This is one driving day of about 111.9 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chester, 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 I 79 for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56 mi from Chester, WV · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
Fuel and coffeeA short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56 miles from Chester, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairmont, WV
The final approach into Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, 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
$17.50 one way
$35.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.13 | $38.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.71 | $49.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.82
Southern Beltway
(11.7 mi)
$0.82
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.75 | $5.37 |
| Efficient EV | 28 | 0 | $9.79 | $4.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.67 | $7.16 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fairmont, WV
Evening in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
6:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 6 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
52°F
Mina, NY
56 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
27 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
2h 23m 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 Chester, WV to Fairmont, WV covers 111.9 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Southern Beltway, Raymond P Shafer Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56 miles from Chester, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.50 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 111.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WV 2 / Carolina Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Chester, WV and Fairmont, WV, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport, Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania and Morgantown.
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