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Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
82.7 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
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.
Parkersburg, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Parkersburg to Dunbar is a straightforward, efficient journey that spans 82.7 miles through West Virginia. You can easily complete this drive in about 1 hour and 34 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a quick day trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of the state, you won't encounter significant shifts in terrain or climate. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Because the duration is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have additional business or activities to attend to at either end. Overall, this is a highly practical transit route designed for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss.
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
41.3 miles from Parkersburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
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This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 96% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of I-77, I-64, and West Virginia Route 95 to complete your journey. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 71.7-mile stretch along I-77, which provides a consistent, steady pace. While the drive is efficient, expect a standard interstate experience rather than a winding backroad excursion. The transition between these major roads is designed for connectivity, ensuring you maintain good momentum from the moment you leave Parkersburg until you arrive in Dunbar.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
505 ft
Total Descent
522 ft
Highest Point
832 ft
~68.9 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and I 64. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.1 miles (6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Green Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (WV 14 / 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 6th Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto Green Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn left onto WV 14 / 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
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 ramp toward I 64 East: Charleston
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 77 | 71.7 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 64 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| West Virginia Route 95 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Camden Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Juliana Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Parkersburg, WV and Dunbar, WV.
Start on WV 68; WV 618
Turn right onto 6th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Green Street
Turn left onto WV 14
Turn left onto WV 95
Continue on WV 95
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
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 this is a short, sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can comfortably make the trip without any scheduled stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel levels before merging onto the long 71.7-mile stretch of I-77. If you prefer to avoid heavy traffic, plan your departure to steer clear of typical morning or evening commuter windows near the larger hubs. Because the route relies so heavily on interstates, stay alert for standard highway merging patterns throughout the transition from I-77 to I-64. Keeping your pace steady along the highway segments will help you arrive in Dunbar feeling refreshed and ready for whatever your day holds.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunbar, WV than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Parkersburg, 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 Parkersburg, WV
This is one driving day of about 82.7 miles and 1h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Parkersburg, WV · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41.3 miles from Parkersburg, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.7 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
$12.93 one way
$25.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.14 | $28.28 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.31 | $30.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 Parkersburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 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
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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