Traveling from Bluefield to Moundsville spans 255.1 miles across West Virginia, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 25 minutes. You will navigate a mix of routes, including the Big Laurel Highway, the West Virginia Turnpike, and I-77 North. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $40 on fuel for the trek. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of the state, you will remain in a familiar geographic area throughout your transit.
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
126.8 miles from Bluefield, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Virginia Turnpike
91.3 mi
1h 45m
I 77
78.7 mi
1h 24m
North State Rt. 2
22.8 mi
27m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
Big Laurel Highway
10.2 mi
12m
Emerson Avenue
5 mi
5m
Wells Street
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
West Virginia Turnpike
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluefield, WV and Moundsville, WV.
1
Start on US 19; US 52 Truck
3.2 mi·5 min·Princeton Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 460
10 mi·12 min·Big Laurel Highway
3
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
4
Merge onto I 77
91 mi·1 hr 45 min·West Virginia Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.9 mi·2 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: ParkersburgUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
7
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
9
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
10
Continue on WV 2
12 mi·13 min·State Route 2
11
Continue on WV 2
17 mi·19 min·2nd Street
12
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Wells Street
13
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi·4 min·Vine Street
14
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi·2 min·3rd Street
15
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
16
Continue on WV 2
23 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
17
Turn right onto CH 250/88
0.2 mi·31 sec·7th Street
18
Turn left onto CH 250/88
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jefferson Avenue
19
Turn left onto 5th Street
38 ft·1 sec·5th Street
20
Arrive at destination
5th Street
Trip Plan
For a smooth trip, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the winding nature of these local roads. Since you only have one designated stop planned, use that time wisely to stretch and refresh before tackling the remaining miles. Keep your $40 fuel budget handy and fill up before leaving Bluefield to avoid hunting for stations on less familiar local stretches. Because the drive is technically demanding, stay alert to the changing road conditions and potential curves that define this path. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you feel the pace of the turn-heavy roads warrants a brief extra break.
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 126.8 miles from Bluefield, WV, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 56 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moundsville, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bluefield, 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 Bluefield, WV
This is one driving day of about 253.5 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Bluefield, 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 West Virginia Turnpike for about 91.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.8 and 184.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.8 mi into trip|~18m in|I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike
Merge onto I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
105.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
5
107 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
5
183.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|WV 2
Take the exit onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North P...
6
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.64 one way
$79.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.34
$86.69
premium
$4.70
$46.92
$93.83
diesel
$5.61
$55.97
$111.94
Estimated Tolls: $6.39
West Virginia Turnpike
(91.3 mi)$6.39
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
$40
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.62
$12.17
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.18
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.49
$16.22
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Bluefield, WV
Night
in Bluefield on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Moundsville, WV
Night
in Moundsville on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Charleston, WV
127 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
15 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
4h 51m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features technical stretches that keep you engaged as you navigate the winding topography. You will find that the highway share is 0 percent, meaning you should anticipate a more hands-on driving experience rather than long periods of cruise control. With the longest stretch being 0 miles on the Big Laurel Highway, the road requires constant adjustments and focus. Expect the character of the journey to shift as you move away from Bluefield and transition through the local road network toward Moundsville.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.3 mi on West Virginia Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Virginia Turnpike and I 77. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in near I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike.
Driving Effort5/10
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 253.5 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 13.8 miles (I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.1 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,890 ft650 ft
Total Climb
559 ft
Total Descent
2,477 ft
Highest Point
2,890 ft
~36.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,240 ft
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 Bluefield, WV to Moundsville, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
183.8 mi in|~3h 28m|via WV 2
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 253.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 miles on West Virginia Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.39 in tolls one way, starting with West Virginia Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through WV can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.8 miles (I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.1 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Moundsville, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
