Origin
Fairmont, WV
Afternoon in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
172.1 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, WV
Nitesh Mehera
Trip Overview
This 172.1-mile journey from Fairmont to Buffalo, West Virginia, is a straightforward 3-hour and 12-minute drive, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate using the Fairmont Gateway Connector and Senator Jennings Randolph Highway before merging onto I-64 West for the latter portion of your drive. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $28, this route offers a practical way to travel between these two Southeast region communities. Plan for just one stop along the way to break up the drive. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments.
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
86 miles from Fairmont, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share for much of the journey. This means you'll be engaging with local roads and making frequent turns, rather than settling into long stretches of high-speed driving. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the character suggests a dynamic experience with varying road conditions and speed limits. The progression of roads, from local connectors to a brief stint on I-64 West, indicates a shift in pace as you approach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fairmont Gateway Connector is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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 Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV is easy. At 3h 12m 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 Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Gateway Connector | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 35 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Scott Depot | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fruth-Lanham Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WV 62 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Shamrock Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Fairmont Gateway Connector
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, WV and Buffalo, WV.
1
Start on Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Street
2
Continue on Fairmont Gateway Connector
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
4
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
6
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
7
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
135 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9
Merge slight right
1.4 mi
·
1 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
11
Keep slight left
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
12
Merge slight right
17 mi
·
19 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 35: Winfield, Point Pleasant
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 35: Winfield, Point Pleasant
14
Keep slight left to continue on Scott Depot
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Scott Depot
15
Turn right onto Fruth-Lanham Highway
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Fruth-Lanham Highway
16
Take the exit slight right toward WV 62: Buffalo, Eleanor
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
WV 62: Buffalo, Eleanor
17
Keep slight left to continue on Shamrock Road
407 ft
·
13 sec
·
Shamrock Road
18
Turn right onto WV 869
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
WV 869
19
Continue on WV 869
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
WV 869
20
At the end of the road, turn left
2.6 mi
·
4 min
21
Turn straight onto River Street
33 ft
·
2 sec
·
River Street
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just over 3 hours and covers 172.1 miles, it's perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of your trip, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or spontaneous stops. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is quite manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along the Fairmont Gateway Connector or Senator Jennings Randolph Highway to stretch your legs. Pay close attention to the frequent turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile.
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 86 miles from Fairmont, WV, or about 1h 36m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 36m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, WV
This is one driving day of about 172.1 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairmont, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Fairmont, WV · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86 miles from Fairmont, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buffalo, WV
The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, 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
$26.91 one way
$53.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $29.43 | $58.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.85 | $63.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.00 | $76.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.07 | $8.26 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.09 | $11.01 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Buffalo, WV
Afternoon in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Newtown, PA
86 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
43 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m 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 Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV covers 172.1 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fairmont Gateway Connector, Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, I 64 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86 miles from Fairmont, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.91 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.
The drive from Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV is easy. At 3h 12m 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 Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fairmont, WV to Buffalo, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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