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Trip from Tornado, WV to Fairmont, WV

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

152.8 mi

246 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 43m ★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Tornado, WV, WV

Tornado, WV

Vladimir Srajber

county seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States

Fairmont, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tornado to Fairmont, West Virginia, covers a total of 152.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your trip will primarily utilize the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, Smith Creek Road, and I-64. Budgeting around $24 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trek. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the transit. It is a straightforward trip that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while keeping their travel plans flexible.

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

76.4 miles from Tornado, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 4% of the trip consisting of highway driving, the route feels much more intimate and winding than a standard freeway haul. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 135.1 miles. This configuration ensures that the character of the road remains consistent for most of the trip. Be prepared for constant adjustments at the wheel as you navigate the local roads that define this mountainous West Virginia connection.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 135.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,183 ft 614 ft

Total Climb

908 ft

Total Descent

533 ft

Highest Point

1,183 ft

~120.9 mi in

Elevation Range

570 ft

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 7.5 miles in near US 60 / MacCorkle Avenue.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 54m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles (US 60 / MacCorkle Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
7.5 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 60 / MacCorkle Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 60 / MacCorkle Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
13.8 mi into trip | ~22m in

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

Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
5
15.7 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway toward I 79 North: Clarksburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
5
150.8 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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
152.2 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 135.1 mi 2h 25m
Smith Creek Road 6 mi 10m
I 64 4.6 mi 5m
I 77 1.5 mi 1m
MacCorkle Avenue 1.2 mi 1m
Fairmont Gateway Connector 1.2 mi 2m
Lincoln Drive 0.9 mi 1m
Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Senator Jennings Randolph Highway — 135.1 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tornado, WV and Fairmont, WV.

1

Start on CR 9/10

41 ft · 4 sec · A Street
2

Turn right onto CR 9

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Coal River Road
3

Turn left onto CR 9

6.0 mi · 10 min · Smith Creek Road
4

Continue on CR 12

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Drive
5

Turn left onto Rock Lake Drive

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Rock Lake Drive
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 60

1.2 mi · 1 min · MacCorkle Avenue
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
8

Merge onto I 64

4.6 mi · 5 min · I 64
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
10

Merge onto I 77

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 77
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79

135 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
13

Turn left onto WV 273

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fairmont Gateway Connector
14

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

122 ft · 2 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
15

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
16

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

128 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
17

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
18

Continue on Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Jefferson Street
19

Arrive at destination

Jefferson Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 54 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preferences. Since there is only one designated stop required, try to pace yourself so you can stretch your legs mid-trip without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially while navigating the longer stretches on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway where services may be less frequent. Because the route is turn-heavy, prioritize driving during daylight hours to maintain better visibility on the tighter local sections. Carrying a physical map or offline GPS is a smart move for this specific route to ensure you stay on track through the winding segments.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.4 miles from Tornado, WV, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.1 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 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.4 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m

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 Tornado, 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 Tornado, WV

This is one driving day of about 152.8 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tornado, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 135.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.4 mi from Tornado, WV · 1h 29m into the drive

Downtown Newtown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newtown, PA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Newtown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newtown, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Tornado, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.1 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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gauley River National Recreation Area

Gauley River National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River cont...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 52.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.89 one way

$47.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $26.13 $52.25
premium $4.70 $28.28 $56.56
diesel $5.61 $33.74 $67.47

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: 53.5 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 45.8 0 $16.04 $7.33
Efficient EV 38.2 0 $13.37 $6.11
EV Truck/SUV 61.1 0 $21.39 $9.78

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Tornado, WV

Evening in Tornado on Tuesday

Local time

6:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmont, WV

Evening in Fairmont on Tuesday

Local time

6:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Partly Cloudy

E 2 mph 2% chance Live forecast

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

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 54m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tornado, WV to Fairmont, WV covers 152.8 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, Smith Creek Road, I 64. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.4 miles from Tornado, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.89 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 54m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles (US 60 / MacCorkle Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Tornado, WV to Fairmont, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 614 ft to 1,183 ft elevation with about 908 ft of total climbing.

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