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Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
145.1 mi
234 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 145.1 miles across West Virginia, this drive between Fairmont and Dunbar typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast region, the trip maintains a consistent geographic feel throughout. This route is a practical choice if you are looking for an efficient transit between these two cities without the need for a multi-day itinerary.
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
72.6 miles from Fairmont, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While the journey includes a modest 5% share of major highways like I-64 and I-77, the bulk of your time will be spent navigating the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 135.1 miles on that specific highway, which dictates the overall pace of the trip. The transition between fast interstate sections and technical, winding local roads ensures that the drive remains engaging rather than monotonous. Prepare for a dynamic experience that requires constant adjustments to your speed and steering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
841 ft
Total Descent
1,234 ft
Highest Point
1,426 ft
~48.4 mi in
Elevation Range
830 ft
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fairmont, WV to Dunbar, WV is easy. At 2h 39m 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 Dunbar, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Gateway Connector | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 10th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, WV and Dunbar, WV.
Start on Jefferson Street
Continue on Fairmont Gateway Connector
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
Keep slight left
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight right toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
Keep slight left
Turn right onto 10th Street
Take the ramp sharp left toward I 64 East: Charleston
Arrive at your destination
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one planned stop to break up the 2-hour and 39-minute duration comfortably. Given the turn-heavy nature of the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, it is wise to start your drive during daylight hours to ensure better visibility on the curves. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Fairmont, as the $23 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Use the single stop to stretch and stay alert, as the technical road segments require more focus than a standard interstate cruise.
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.
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 72.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunbar, WV than in the middle of the route.
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 145.1 miles and 2h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.6 mi from Fairmont, WV · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 72.6 miles from Fairmont, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.69 one way
$45.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $24.81 | $49.62 |
| premium | $4.70 | $26.85 | $53.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.24 | $6.96 |
| Efficient EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.70 | $5.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58 | 0 | $20.31 | $9.29 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
2:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
2:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
74°F
Newtown, PA
73 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.
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