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Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
151.7 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
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.
Saint Albans, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Fairmont, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Saint Albans to Fairmont, this 151.7-mile journey across West Virginia typically takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $24 on fuel for the trek, which utilizes the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, I-64, and 1st Avenue South. While both cities are located within the Southeast region, the route transitions you through the state's interior. It is a straightforward trip that balances interstate travel with local road navigation, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach Fairmont efficiently.
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
75.8 miles from Saint Albans, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 6% of this journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating secondary roads. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, which accounts for a 135.1-mile stretch of the total distance. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this route offers a more technical driving experience as you transition between local paths. Stay alert, as the winding nature of the roads provides a distinct personality compared to faster, high-speed corridors.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,713 ft
Total Descent
1,338 ft
Highest Point
1,261 ft
~101.1 mi in
Elevation Range
646 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 60/14 / 6th Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 (CR 60/14 / 6th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 12.7 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 CR 60/14 / 6th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 135.1 mi | 2h 25m |
| I 64 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| 1st Avenue South | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| I 77 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Fairmont Gateway Connector | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| The New Saint Albans-Nitro Bridge | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Albans, WV and Fairmont, WV.
Start on CR 6/16
Turn right onto CR 60/14
Turn left onto CR 6/6
Continue on The New Saint Albans-Nitro Bridge
Continue on Center Street
Turn right onto WV 25
Continue on WV 25
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Merge onto I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn left onto WV 273
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
Continue on WV 273
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
Continue on WV 273
Continue on Jefferson Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 151.7-mile journey to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early, as the $24 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. Because the longest stretch is over 135 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, ensure you are comfortable with extended periods on non-interstate roads before heading out. Prioritize a daytime departure to better navigate the turns safely and comfortably.
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 75.8 miles or 1h 26m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmont, WV than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Albans, 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 Saint Albans, WV
This is one driving day of about 151.7 miles and 2h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.8 mi from Saint Albans, WV · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 75.8 miles from Saint Albans, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.1 miles.
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.
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
$23.72 one way
$47.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.94 | $51.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.08 | $56.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.49 | $66.99 |
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: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.93 | $7.28 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Saint Albans on Tuesday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
74°F
Newtown, PA
76 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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