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Trip from Fairmont, WV to Clarksburg, WV

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

27m

Distance

21.5 mi

35 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 25m ★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

county seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States

Fairmont, WV

Wikimedia Commons

city in West Virginia, United States

Clarksburg, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Fairmont and Clarksburg, this 21.8-mile journey is a quick trip that takes roughly 24 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, you can easily handle this as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Fairmont Gateway Connector, the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, and US 50. With a fuel budget of just $3, this is an incredibly economical drive between these two West Virginia hubs. Both cities are located within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent local atmosphere throughout your travels. It is a straightforward commute that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

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

10.8 miles from Fairmont, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more engaging, hands-on experience behind the wheel. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on the Fairmont Gateway Connector, meaning you will be navigating transitions frequently. The road demands your full attention as you move through the local landscape. It is not a high-speed highway trek, but rather a practical, winding route that requires you to stay alert through every turn.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.5 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 0.5 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
17.8 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward US 50: Clarksburg, Bridgeport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50: Clarksburg, Bridgeport
5
18 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

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 Fairmont, WV to Clarksburg, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Bridgeport along the way.

Bridgeport

17.8 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 16.2 mi 17m
Corridor D 2.8 mi 3m
Fairmont Gateway Connector 0.8 mi 1m
West Pike Street 0.4 mi <1m
Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Chestnut Street <0.1 mi <1m
West Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Senator Jennings Randolph Highway — 16.2 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, WV and Clarksburg, WV.

1

Start on Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · Jefferson Street
2

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
3

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

129 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
4

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
5

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

128 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
6

Continue on WV 273

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 79

16 mi · 17 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 50: Clarksburg, Bridgeport
10

Keep slight right at fork

357 ft · 8 sec
11

Merge onto US 50

2.8 mi · 3 min · Corridor D
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 43 sec
Toward Downtown
13

Turn right onto WV 20

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Pike Street
14

Turn left onto South Chestnut Street

417 ft · 14 sec · South Chestnut Street
15

Turn left onto WV 20

61 ft · 1 sec · West Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

WV 20

Trip Plan

Given the 24-minute duration, you have total flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the short 21.8-mile distance is easily managed in one go. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, but remember that because the route is entirely local, you should factor in extra time if you are driving during peak traffic hours. Since there are no designated stops on this path, ensure your vehicle is ready to go before leaving Fairmont. Focus on navigating the turn-heavy sections carefully, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be managing road transitions for the duration of the trip.

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 10.8 miles from Fairmont, WV, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.2 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 21.5 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 10.8 miles or 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksburg, 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 21.5 miles and 27m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 16.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10.8 mi from Fairmont, WV · 13m into the drive

Downtown Newtown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newtown, PA

11 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

Newtown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newtown, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Fairmont, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clarksburg, WV

The final approach into Clarksburg, 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 Clarksburg, 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

$3.36 one way

$6.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $3.68 $7.35
premium $4.70 $3.98 $7.96
diesel $5.61 $4.75 $9.49

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: 7.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.5 0 $2.26 $1.03
Efficient EV 5.4 0 $1.88 $0.86
EV Truck/SUV 8.6 0 $3.01 $1.38

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Fairmont, WV

Evening in Fairmont on Tuesday

Local time

6:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksburg, WV

Evening in Clarksburg on Tuesday

Local time

6:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Newtown, PA

11 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

44 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

27m 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 Clarksburg, WV covers 21.5 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, Corridor D, Fairmont Gateway Connector. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.8 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 $3.36 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.5 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 0.5 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Fairmont, WV to Clarksburg, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Bridgeport along the way.

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Return Trip

Clarksburg, WV to Fairmont, WV

Plan the drive back the other way.

22.3 mi 28m

Explore more options from Fairmont, WV or browse trips ending in Clarksburg, WV.

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