The drive from Dunbar, WV to Weirton Heights, WV covers 196.6 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 77, SR 7, North State Rt. 2 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.4 miles on I 77.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
98.3 miles from Dunbar, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 196.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 52m highway drive covering 196.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 77 and SR 7. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 77.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and SR 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 196.6 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: at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.8 miles (WV 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
5
7.9 mi into trip|~10m in|I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
5
84.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|WV 2
Take the exit onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North P...
6
85.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North P...
5
154.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dunbar, WV to Weirton Heights, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
84.8 mi in|~1h 32m|via WV 2
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
78.4 mi
1h 24m
SR 7
34.1 mi
44m
North State Rt. 2
22.4 mi
27m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
I 64
5.8 mi
7m
Emerson Avenue
5 mi
5m
Wells Street
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, WV and Weirton Heights, WV.
1
Start on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 64 East: Charleston
2
Merge onto I 64
5.8 mi·7 min·I 64
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
4
Merge onto I 77
1.5 mi·1 min·I 77
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
6
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
7
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
8
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
9
Continue on WV 2
12 mi·13 min·State Route 2
10
Continue on WV 2
17 mi·19 min·2nd Street
11
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Wells Street
12
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi·4 min·Vine Street
13
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi·2 min·3rd Street
14
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
15
Continue on WV 2
22 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
16
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
0.4 mi·30 sec·12th Street
17
Continue on SR 872
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 872
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
19
Continue on SR 7
34 mi·44 min·SR 7
20
Turn left onto Slack Street
519 ft·14 sec·Slack Street
21
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
22
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·Franklin Avenue
23
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·North 7th Street
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
25
Merge onto US 22
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·US 22
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward CR 13: Three Springs Drive
28
Keep slight right at fork
352 ft·10 sec
29
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.7 mi·1 min·Three Springs Drive
30
At end of road, turn right onto CR 507
0.6 mi·1 min·Cove Road
31
Turn sharp left onto WV 105
45 ft·0 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
WV 105
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.3 miles from Dunbar, WV, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 43 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton Heights, 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 196.6 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Dunbar, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 77 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.3 mi from Dunbar, WV
· 1h 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 98.3 miles from Dunbar, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Weirton Heights, WV
The final approach into Weirton Heights, 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 Weirton Heights, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.74 one way
$61.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.62
$67.23
premium
$4.70
$36.39
$72.77
diesel
$5.61
$43.41
$86.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59
0
$20.64
$9.44
Efficient EV
49.2
0
$17.20
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dunbar, WV
Late night
in Dunbar on Saturday
Local time
1:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weirton Heights, WV
Late night
in Weirton Heights on Saturday
Local time
1:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 52m 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 Weirton Heights, WV covers 196.6 miles and takes about 3h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 77, SR 7, North State Rt. 2. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.3 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 $30.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 196.6 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: at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.8 miles (WV 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dunbar, WV to Weirton Heights, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
