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Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
161.4 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
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.
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Morgantown, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Dunbar to Morgantown covers 161.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 58 minutes. This route is perfectly suited as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the journey. The path utilizes a combination of I-64, the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, and Grafton Road. Because both cities are located within the Southeast region of West Virginia, the transition between them feels like a consistent journey through the state's interior.
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
80.7 miles from Dunbar, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy, local-style drive that offers a distinct departure from standard interstate monotony. While you will spend a small portion of the trip on larger highways—roughly 5% of the total distance—the vast majority of your time will be spent navigating more technical roads. You will spend the longest uninterrupted stretch of 148 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. Be prepared for a road profile that demands your full attention, as the winding nature of the local segments contrasts sharply with the brief highway stretches.
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 Dunbar, WV to Morgantown, WV is easy. At 2h 58m 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 Morgantown, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 77 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 68 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 119 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grafton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| University Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kirk Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, WV and Morgantown, WV.
Start on I 64 East: Charleston
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight left toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
Merge slight right
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 68 East: Cumberland
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward US 119: Downtown
Keep slight left
Turn left onto Grafton Road
Continue on University Avenue
Turn right onto Kirk Street
Continue on Spruce Street
Turn left onto Walnut Street
Turn left onto High Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. Keep in mind that with 161.4 miles to cover, your fuel costs will remain predictable, but it is always wise to fill up before heading into the more local, turn-heavy sections. Because the route relies heavily on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, stay alert for changes in road conditions as you transition between major corridors and smaller local roads. Taking advantage of that single scheduled stop will help keep you fresh for the final approach into Morgantown.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morgantown, WV than in the middle of the route.
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 161.4 miles and 2h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.7 mi from Dunbar, WV · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80.7 miles from Dunbar, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.24 one way
$50.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.60 | $55.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.87 | $59.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.95 | $7.75 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.12 | $6.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.60 | $10.33 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Morgantown on Tuesday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
74°F
Newtown, PA
81 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
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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