Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
143.8 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parkersburg, WV
Wikimedia Commons
MacArthur, WV
Jason Sherrod
The drive from Parkersburg, WV to MacArthur, WV covers 143.8 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 77, I 64, West Virginia Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.1 miles on I 77. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
71.9 miles from Parkersburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 143.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 77 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 128.1 miles on I 77.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 143.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West: Bluefield, Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 77 North: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 77 | 128.1 mi | 2h 24m |
| I 64 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| West Virginia Turnpike | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Virginia Route 95 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Harper Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Kanawha Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Camden Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Parkersburg, WV and MacArthur, 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
Turn left onto WV 3
Continue on WV 3
At end of road, turn left onto South Heber Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn right onto WV 210
Turn left onto Larew Avenue
Turn right onto Worley Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 19
Turn left onto US 19 BYP
Turn right onto Joe L. Smith Drive
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Merge onto I 64; I 77
Arrive at destination
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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near MacArthur, 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 143.8 miles and 2h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.9 mi from Parkersburg, WV · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 71.9 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 128.1 miles.
The final approach into MacArthur, 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 MacArthur, WV.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.49 one way
$44.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $24.59 | $49.18 |
| premium | $4.70 | $26.61 | $53.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.75 | $63.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.10 | $6.90 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.58 | $5.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.13 | $9.20 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Evening in Parkersburg on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Evening in MacArthur on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
69°F
Charleston, WV
72 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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