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Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
155.2 mi
250 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
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.
Moundsville, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Moundsville to Dunbar, this 155.2-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should plan for a fuel budget of roughly $25 to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeastern region of West Virginia, you will rely primarily on WV 2, Energy Road, and Chelsea Street. It is a straightforward trip that offers a reliable way to cross the state, making it a practical choice for travelers seeking a direct route.
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
77.6 miles from Moundsville, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
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Expect a mixed driving experience as you traverse this route, which is comprised of about 55% highway travel. You will encounter a variety of conditions, starting with a significant 76.6-mile stretch on WV 2, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment. The transition between fast-paced highway driving and the local feel of Energy Road and Chelsea Street keeps the journey varied. Rather than a monotonous interstate grind, the road shifts in personality, requiring you to remain attentive to changing road types. This combination of segments ensures the drive stays engaging from start to finish.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
359 ft
Total Descent
458 ft
Highest Point
747 ft
~142.3 mi in
Elevation Range
151 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CH 250/88 / Jefferson Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 250/88 / Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 148.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CH 250/88 / Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the ramp toward I 64 East: Charleston
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WV 2 | 76.6 mi | 1h 22m |
| Energy Road | 21.6 mi | 25m |
| Chelsea Street | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| 3rd Street | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| I 64 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Emerson Avenue | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| North 4th Avenue | 5 mi | 5m |
| Vine Street | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Moundsville, WV and Dunbar, WV.
Start on 5th Street
Turn right onto CH 250/88
Turn right onto CH 250/88
Turn left onto WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Turn left onto WV 2
Turn right onto WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Continue on WV 2
Take the exit onto WV 2
Continue on I 77
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto CR 25/25
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
Since the trip is manageable in under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to build in at least one planned stop to break up the drive, as this will help keep you alert behind the wheel. Given the $25 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your tank levels before hitting the longer 76.6-mile stretch on WV 2 to avoid any last-minute stress. Because you are navigating a mix of roads, pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the highway onto Energy Road and Chelsea Street. This simple preparation will ensure a smooth and efficient trip from Moundsville to Dunbar.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunbar, WV than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Moundsville, 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 Moundsville, WV
This is one driving day of about 155.2 miles and 2h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.6 mi from Moundsville, WV · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 77.6 miles from Moundsville, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WV 2 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.6 miles.
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
$24.27 one way
$48.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.54 | $53.07 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.72 | $57.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.27 | $68.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Moundsville on Tuesday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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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