Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
194.2 mi
313 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
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
Weirton, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Dunbar to Weirton covers 194.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively affordable excursion across West Virginia. You will primarily utilize I-77, SR 7, and North State Rt. 2 to navigate between these two points. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of the state, the drive offers a consistent transition through local landscapes. It is a straightforward trip that works well for those looking to get from the Charleston area to the Northern Panhandle efficiently.
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
97.1 miles from Dunbar, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Loading map...
This route functions as a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a substantial 78.4-mile stretch along I-77, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your journey. Once you transition off the interstate and onto SR 7 and North State Rt. 2, the character of the road shifts, requiring more attention to local traffic patterns. Expect a blend of fast-paced highway miles followed by the more varied flow of state routes. Navigating these different road types provides a practical mix of high-speed cruising and secondary highway travel as you head north.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
291 ft
Total Descent
133 ft
Highest Point
754 ft
~194.2 mi in
Elevation Range
158 ft
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 194.2 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dunbar, WV to Weirton, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, WV and Weirton, WV.
Start on this road
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Merge onto I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Take the exit onto WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Turn right onto WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
Continue on SR 872
Take the exit
Continue on SR 7
Turn left onto Slack Street
Turn right onto South 4th Street
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop included in the itinerary, you can easily break up the 194.2-mile distance to stretch your legs or grab a snack whenever you feel the need. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the state route segments, as gas station frequency may vary compared to the main interstate stretches. Leaving in the morning is generally your best bet to ensure you arrive in Weirton before the end of the day. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic conditions on I-77 before you pull out of Dunbar, as this primary artery is the most critical part of your transit time.
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 47m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton, 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 194.2 miles and 3h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.1 mi from Dunbar, WV · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 97.1 miles from Dunbar, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
The final approach into Weirton, 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, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.37 one way
$60.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.21 | $66.41 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.94 | $71.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.88 | $85.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $16.99 | $7.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.19 | $12.43 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Weirton on Tuesday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
74°F
Newtown, PA
97 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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dunbar, WV or browse trips ending in Weirton, WV.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WV road trips.
Explore maps for Dunbar, WV or Weirton, WV on MapSof.net.