This 174.9-mile drive from Webster Springs, WV to Wheeling, WV will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. It's a straightforward, one-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $27. You'll primarily be on roads like the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and Dragon Highway, with no interstate driving involved. This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive. With just one recommended stop, you can easily complete this journey within a single day, making it ideal for a weekend excursion within West Virginia's Southeast region.
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
87.5 miles from Webster Springs, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 174.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. The journey unfolds primarily along local roads, including stretches of the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and Dragon Highway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 67.8 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. Expect a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation due to the frequent turns, rather than long, high-speed stretches. This is a route where you'll be more connected to the local landscape as you navigate its winding paths.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 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 67.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 26 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WV 20 / Baker Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.9 miles you will encounter 26 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 (WV 20 / Baker Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.1 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|WV 20 / Baker Street
Turn right onto WV 20 / Baker Street
Navigation decision point
5
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
103.1 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector
Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
173.5 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 250, WV 2: Wheeling, Moundsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 250, WV 2: Wheeling, Moundsville
5
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|17th Street
Turn left onto 17th Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Webster Springs, WV to Wheeling, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Fairmont along the way.
Fairmont
101.7 mi in|~2h 7m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
67.8 mi
1h 13m
Dragon Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Cleveland Avenue
12.3 mi
13m
Hornet Highway
11.1 mi
12m
Waynesburg Pike Road
10.1 mi
11m
Holly River
9.7 mi
14m
Husky Highway
9.3 mi
10m
Miller Mountain Road
9.3 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Webster Springs, WV and Wheeling, WV.
Given the 3-hour 40-minute duration and estimated $27 fuel cost, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Webster Springs to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. While only one stop is formally recommended, be mindful of opportunities to refuel, especially before heading out, as this is a local road-focused drive. The 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means you'll want to stay alert and perhaps double-check your navigation periodically, particularly during the longest 67.8-mile stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.5 miles from Webster Springs, WV, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 38 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheeling, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Webster Springs, 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 Webster Springs, WV
This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Webster Springs, 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 67.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.5 mi from Webster Springs, WV
· 1h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.35 one way
$54.70 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.91
$59.81
premium
$4.70
$32.37
$64.74
diesel
$5.61
$38.62
$77.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Supercharger
Sutton, West Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Fairmont, West Virginia
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Sutton, West Virginia
EVgo
1 DCFC
Tesla: 2
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.36
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.30
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.49
$11.19
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Webster Springs, WV
Morning
in Webster Springs on Friday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wheeling, WV
Morning
in Wheeling on Friday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Webster Springs, WV to Wheeling, WV covers 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, Dragon Highway, Cleveland Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.5 miles from Webster Springs, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.9 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WV 20 / Baker Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.1 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Webster Springs, WV to Wheeling, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Fairmont along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
