Origin
Mineral Wells, WV
Evening in Mineral Wells on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mineral Wells, WV to Fairmont, WV
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97.5 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Mineral Wells to Fairmont, this 97.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek through West Virginia that takes roughly 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight accommodations along the way. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the excursion, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Navigating primarily via Old 21, US 50, and Corridor D, you will stay entirely within the state of West Virginia throughout the drive. Since the entire trip takes place within the Southeast region, you can anticipate consistent road conditions and regional travel patterns from start to finish.
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
48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate winding local roads that demand your full attention, providing a more engaged driving experience compared to high-speed turnpikes. Without any major highway stretches, the path relies on local infrastructure to connect these two points. Because the route is composed entirely of local roads, you should prepare for a varied pace that changes as you transition between sections of Old 21 and US 50. It is a practical, functional drive that requires you to stay alert through the frequent turns.
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.
Corridor D is the longest continuous segment at about 72.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
6.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
4
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 79 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 79 North
5
95.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
97 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector
Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Corridor D | 72.2 mi | 1h 24m |
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 16.1 mi | 17m |
| I 77 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Fairmont Gateway Connector | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Old 21 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Corridor D
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mineral Wells, WV and Fairmont, WV.
1
Start on Old 21
23 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old 21
2
Continue on WV 14
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Old 21
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
4
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 77; WV 2
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
6
Turn right onto US 50
72 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Corridor D
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North
8
Merge onto I 79
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
10
Turn left onto WV 273
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
11
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
122 ft
·
2 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
12
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
13
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
14
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairmont Gateway Connector
15
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Jefferson Street
16
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during daylight hours is best to navigate the turn-heavy local roads safely. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping your gas tank topped off before leaving Mineral Wells is a smart way to ensure your $16 fuel budget stays on track. Watch for changes in road signage as you transition between the local routes, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be relying on smaller, secondary roads for the entire 97.5 miles. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider building in a buffer for your arrival time to account for the technical nature of these local turns.
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 48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 57m 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 34m
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 Mineral Wells, 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 Mineral Wells, WV
This is one driving day of about 97.5 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mineral Wells, 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 Corridor D for about 72.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Mineral Wells, WV · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Corridor D if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.2 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fairmont, 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
$15.25 one way
$30.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.67 | $33.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.05 | $36.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.53 | $43.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.24 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.53 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.65 | $6.24 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Fairmont, WV
Evening in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Newtown, PA
49 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
4 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
1h 56m 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 Mineral Wells, WV to Fairmont, WV covers 97.5 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Corridor D, Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, I 77. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.25 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 straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Mineral Wells, WV to Fairmont, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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