The drive from Weirton Heights, WV to MacArthur, WV covers 259.7 miles and takes about 5h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 79, US 19, Southern Beltway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.8 miles on I 79.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 259.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 6m highway drive covering 259.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 79 and US 19. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.8 miles on I 79.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 136.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 259.7 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles (I 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
13.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsyl...
8
38.1 mi into trip|~51m in|I 79
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79 toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morgantown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morg...
8
41.6 mi into trip|~56m in|I 79
Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
8
257.1 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 64
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West, I 77 North: Charleston
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Weirton Heights, WV and MacArthur, WV, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport, Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania, Morgantown and Beckley.
Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania
13.3 mi in|~19m
Airport
13.3 mi in|~19m
Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
13.6 mi in|~20m
Morgantown
38.1 mi in|~51m|via I 79
Beckley
245.3 mi in|~4h 45m|via US 19
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
136.8 mi
2h 27m
US 19
59.2 mi
1h 13m
Southern Beltway
11.7 mi
12m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
11.6 mi
15m
US 22
11.3 mi
15m
Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
8.6 mi
9m
Joe L. Smith Drive
4.6 mi
7m
I 64
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weirton Heights, WV and MacArthur, WV.
1
Start on WV 105
1.0 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Turn right onto WV 105
0.7 mi·1 min·Colliers Way
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 22
11 mi·15 min·US 22
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, AirportUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
7
Merge onto PA Tpke 576
12 mi·12 min·Southern Beltway
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 South: Washington
9
Merge onto I 79
12 mi·15 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79
0.5 mi·1 min·I 79
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, MorgantownUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 70; I 79
3.0 mi·4 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 79
136 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 79
Exit 21Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, MorgantownUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 19
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 19
Toward US 19 South: Beckley
14
Keep slight left at fork
318 ft·8 sec
15
Turn right onto Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
8.6 mi·9 min·Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
16
Continue on US 19
58 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 19
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 19
0.4 mi·59 sec·US 19
Toward US 19 South, WV 16: Bradley, North Beckley
18
Turn left onto US 19; WV 16
3.0 mi·5 min·Robert C. Byrd Drive
19
Turn left onto US 19 BYP
4.6 mi·7 min·Joe L. Smith Drive
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West: Bluefield, Charleston
21
Merge onto I 64
3.3 mi·3 min·I 64
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
0.4 mi·50 sec·I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 77 North: CharlestonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 64; I 77
2.1 mi·2 min·West Virginia Turnpike
24
Arrive at destination
I 64; I 77
Trip Plan
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 129.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 57 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.8 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near MacArthur, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Weirton Heights, 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 Weirton Heights, WV
This is one driving day of about 259.7 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Weirton Heights, 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 I 79 for about 136.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.8 mi from Weirton Heights, WV
· 2h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 129.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.8 miles.
Arriving in MacArthur, WV
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 214.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.61 one way
$81.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$44.40
$88.81
premium
$4.70
$48.06
$96.13
diesel
$5.61
$57.34
$114.68
Estimated Tolls: $0.97
Southern Beltway
(11.7 mi)$0.82
West Virginia Turnpike
(2.1 mi)$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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.27
$12.47
Efficient EV
64.9
0
$22.72
$10.39
EV Truck/SUV
103.9
1
$36.36
$16.62
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Weirton Heights, WV
Evening
in Weirton Heights on Thursday
Local time
5:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
MacArthur, WV
Evening
in MacArthur on Thursday
Local time
5:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
13 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
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Weirton Heights, WV to MacArthur, WV covers 259.7 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, US 19, Southern Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.61 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 259.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles (I 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Weirton Heights, WV and MacArthur, WV, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport, Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania, Morgantown and Beckley.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gauley River National Recreation Area.
