Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10m
Distance
7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charleston, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar, WV
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit, the 7-mile trip from Charleston to Dunbar is an ideal choice. You can expect to reach your destination in roughly 10 minutes, making this a perfect day trip that requires no overnight planning. Budgeting for this drive is remarkably easy, as you will likely spend just $1 on fuel. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region of West Virginia, you will experience a consistent local feel throughout the journey. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing direct movement between the two cities rather than a leisurely sightseeing pace.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 119 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Quarrier Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dickinson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, WV and Dunbar, WV.
Start on Dickinson Street
Turn right onto Quarrier Street
Continue on Randolph Street
Turn left onto US 119
Take the ramp onto US 119
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto CR 25/25
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 6.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 119 / Pennsylvania Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp onto US 119 toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CR 25/25: Roxalana Road, Dunbar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the ramp toward I 64 East: Charleston
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Regular Gas
$1.09 one way
$2.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $1.20 | $2.39 |
| premium | $4.70 | $1.30 | $2.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.55 | $3.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.74 | $0.34 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.61 | $0.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Afternoon in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Dunbar on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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.
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on US 119, which accounts for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. Approximately 80% of the journey takes place on high-speed roads, allowing for a steady pace across the 7-mile distance. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on US 119, covering 5.5 miles before transitioning into local streets like Quarrier Street and 10th Street. Expect a functional, no-frills experience that shifts from major thoroughfares into the urban grid as you arrive in Dunbar. The progression is rapid, moving you quickly from the outskirts into the heart of your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 119 and Quarrier Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 119 / Pennsylvania Avenue South.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 119 / Pennsylvania Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 119): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
294 ft
Total Descent
294 ft
Highest Point
674 ft
~5.8 mi in
Elevation Range
109 ft
Charleston, established in 1794, is the state capital of West Virginia. With a population of about 49,000 in 2020, Charleston is the largest city in West Virginia. It's at the junction of Interstates 77, 79, and 64, as well as the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers, the latter of which flows prominently through the city.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 10m. Total distance: 7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Charleston, WV or browse trips ending in Dunbar, WV.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WV road trips.
