Origin
Fairmont, WV
Night in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmont, WV to Coal City, WV
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
163.4 mi
263 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Coal City, WV
Braeson Holland
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairmont, WV to Coal City, WV covers 163.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 19, Upper Millcreek Telsa Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.6 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.55 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
81.7 miles from Fairmont, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Fairmont, WV to Coal City, WV covers 163.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 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 77.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 18 significant decision points across 163.4 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 148.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese 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
6
148.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield
6
154 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
7
154.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
US 121 FUT
Keep slight right at fork onto US 121 FUT toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 77.6 mi | 1h 23m |
| US 19 | 60.4 mi | 1h 14m |
| Upper Millcreek Telsa Road | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| West Virginia Turnpike | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| US 121 FUT | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Independence Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Coal City Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| WV 16 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 77.6 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, WV and Coal City, 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
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9
Take the exit onto US 19
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
US 19
Toward US 19 South: Beckley
10
Keep slight left at fork
318 ft
·
8 sec
11
Turn right onto Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
12
Continue on US 19
60 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 19
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield
14
Merge onto I 64; I 77
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
West Virginia Turnpike
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 42
Toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
16
Continue on US 121 FUT
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Coalfields Expressway
Exit 42
Toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 121 FUT
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 121 FUT
Exit 42
Toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
18
Take the exit onto WV 16; WV 97
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
WV 16; WV 97
19
Keep slight left at fork onto WV 16
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
WV 16
20
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
WV 16
21
At end of road, turn left onto CR 16/14
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Main Street
22
Turn right onto CR 29/6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Independence School Road
23
Continue on CR 29/6
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Independence Road
24
At end of road, turn right onto Coal City Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Coal City Road
25
Continue on CR 29
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Coal City Road
26
Arrive at destination
CR 29
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 81.7 miles from Fairmont, WV, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coal City, 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 163.4 miles and 3h 16m.
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.
The longest stretch is on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 77.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.7 mi from Fairmont, WV · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 81.7 miles from Fairmont, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.6 miles.
Arriving in Coal City, WV
The final approach into Coal City, 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 Coal City, 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
$25.55 one way
$51.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.94 | $55.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $30.24 | $60.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.08 | $72.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.33
West Virginia Turnpike
(4.6 mi)
$0.33
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.16 | $7.84 |
| Efficient EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.30 | $6.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Coal City, WV
Night in Coal City on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Newtown, PA
82 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
47 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 16m 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 Coal City, WV covers 163.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 19, Upper Millcreek Telsa Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.7 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 $25.55 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 18 significant decision points across 163.4 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 148.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fairmont, WV to Coal City, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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