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Trip from Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

89.5 mi

144 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

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

city in West Virginia, United States

Follansbee, WV

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States

Fairmont, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Follansbee to Fairmont, this 89.5-mile journey across West Virginia is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping this an economical choice for your schedule. You will be traveling entirely within the southeastern region of the state, ensuring a consistent geographic feel throughout the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this route offers a practical and efficient way to traverse the state.

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

44.8 miles from Follansbee, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience as you navigate this route, with about 65% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend time on Washington Pike and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning onto I-79. The most significant portion of your journey is a 58.3-mile stretch on I-79, which provides a steady, uninterrupted pace. While the local roads offer a different rhythm early on, the interstate segments dominate the driving experience, making this a reliable path for those looking to reach Fairmont efficiently.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Washington Pike. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near WV 27 / 10th Street.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV is easy. At 1h 52m with 65% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (WV 27 / 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.6 miles (I 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
4 mi into trip | ~6m in | WV 27 / 10th Street

Turn left onto WV 27 / 10th Street

Navigation decision point

4
25.2 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 East: New Stanton

Navigation decision point

Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
8
29.6 mi into trip | ~45m in | I 79

Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 21 Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
5
87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont

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

Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
5
89 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

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 Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Morgantown along the way.

Morgantown

29.6 mi in | ~45m | via I 79

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 79 58.3 mi 1h 3m
Washington Pike 18 mi 26m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 4.1 mi 5m
Main Street 4 mi 6m
Jefferson Avenue 2.7 mi 5m
Fairmont Gateway Connector 0.8 mi 1m
10th Street 0.5 mi <1m
Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 79 — 58.3 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on WV 2

4.0 mi · 6 min · Main Street
2

Turn left onto WV 27

0.5 mi · 43 sec · 10th Street
3

Continue on WV 27

10 mi · 14 min · Washington Pike
4

Continue on PA 844

1.1 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Avenue
5

Continue on PA 844

8.0 mi · 11 min · Washington Pike
6

Continue on PA 844

1.7 mi · 3 min · Jefferson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
8

Merge onto I 70

4.1 mi · 5 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9

Take the exit onto I 79

58 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 79
Exit 21 Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
11

Turn left onto WV 273

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
12

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

122 ft · 2 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
13

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
14

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

128 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
15

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
16

Continue on Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Jefferson Street
17

Arrive at destination

Jefferson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable drive under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 89.5-mile distance in one go, so there is no need to plan for intermediate stops unless you prefer a break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-79 to ensure you have enough for the longest 58.3-mile stretch of the trip. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic on the interstate will help ensure you stay within your estimated travel time. Ultimately, the simplicity of this route allows you to focus on the road ahead without worrying about complex navigation or multiple overnight logistics.

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 44.8 miles from Follansbee, WV, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 20 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.8 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmont, WV than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Follansbee, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Follansbee, WV

This is one driving day of about 89.5 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Follansbee, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 58.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 44.8 mi from Follansbee, WV · 1h 1m into the drive

Downtown Buffalo, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buffalo, PA

45 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

Buffalo, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morrisville, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.8 miles from Follansbee, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fairmont, WV

The final approach into Fairmont, WV usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.00 one way

$27.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.30 $30.61
premium $4.70 $16.56 $33.13
diesel $5.61 $19.76 $39.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.8 0 $9.40 $4.30
Efficient EV 22.4 0 $7.83 $3.58
EV Truck/SUV 35.8 0 $12.53 $5.73

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Follansbee, WV

Evening in Follansbee on Wednesday

Local time

5:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmont, WV

Evening in Fairmont on Wednesday

Local time

5:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Buffalo, PA

45 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

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 52m 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 Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV covers 89.5 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Washington Pike, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.8 miles from Follansbee, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.00 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.
The drive from Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV is easy. At 1h 52m with 65% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (WV 27 / 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.6 miles (I 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Follansbee, WV to Fairmont, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Morgantown along the way.

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