Origin
Dunbar, WV
Afternoon in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
25m
Distance
19.8 mi
32 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Chesapeake, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across West Virginia, the 19.8-mile journey from Dunbar to Chesapeake is an ideal choice. You can expect to cover this distance in roughly 25 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $3, it is an incredibly economical drive for commuters or those just passing through the region. Since both towns are located in the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. This route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, so there is no need to plan for overnight stays. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two West Virginia communities.
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
9.9 miles from Dunbar, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-64, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.1 miles. Transitioning from the interstate onto local roads like Maccorkle Avenue and WV-94 provides a brief change of pace as you reach your destination. Expect a functional, high-speed experience that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations. The road remains consistent throughout, offering a reliable path that avoids the complexity of winding backroads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 East is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
684 ft
566 ft
Total Climb
339 ft
Total Descent
328 ft
Highest Point
684 ft
~17.3 mi in
Elevation Range
118 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV is easy. At 25m 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 Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WV 94 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maccorkle Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 125th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 64 East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, WV and Chesapeake, WV.
1
Start on I 64 East: Charleston
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 64 East: Charleston
2
Merge slight left
17 mi
·
20 min
3
Take the exit slight right toward WV 94: Marmet, Chesapeake
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
WV 94: Marmet, Chesapeake
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Maccorkle Avenue
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maccorkle Avenue
6
Turn left onto 125th Street
7 ft
·
125th Street
7
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 25-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because the majority of your travel occurs on I-64, you should stay alert for typical interstate traffic patterns that might shift during morning or evening rush hours. Given the low $3 fuel cost, this is a budget-friendly route that requires very little logistical preparation. My best tip is to check traffic reports for I-64 before you head out, as even a short interstate stretch can be affected by unexpected congestion.
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 9.9 miles from Dunbar, WV, or about 12m into the drive.
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 19.8 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.9 miles or 12m 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 Chesapeake, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, WV
This is one driving day of about 19.8 miles and 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dunbar, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.9 mi from Dunbar, WV · 12m 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 Chesapeake, WV
The final approach into Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, 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
$3.10 one way
$6.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $3.39 | $6.77 |
| premium | $4.70 | $3.66 | $7.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.37 | $8.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.9 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 | 5.9 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.73 | $0.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
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
Chesapeake, WV
Afternoon in Chesapeake on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
25m 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 Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV covers 19.8 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64 East, WV 94, Maccorkle Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.9 miles from Dunbar, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.10 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.
The drive from Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV is easy. At 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dunbar, WV to Chesapeake, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 566 ft to 684 ft elevation with about 339 ft of total climbing.
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