This 199.4-mile drive from Elkview to Weirton Heights, West Virginia, is a straightforward 3-hour and 56-minute journey. It's well-suited as a single-day trip, with a fuel cost estimated at $31. The route is primarily highway-focused, making for efficient travel through the Southeast region of the state. You'll spend about 64% of your time on major highways, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. This route offers a practical way to connect two points in WV without requiring an overnight stop.
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
99.7 miles from Elkview, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
76.2 mi
1h 21m
SR 7
34.1 mi
44m
North State Rt. 2
22.4 mi
27m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
8.7 mi
9m
Emerson Avenue
5 mi
5m
Wells Street
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 76.2 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkview, WV and Weirton Heights, WV.
1
Start on this road
84 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto US 119
128 ft·9 sec·Elk River Road
3
Turn left onto CR 43
1.4 mi·2 min·Frame Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
5
Merge onto I 79
8.7 mi·9 min·Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
7
Merge onto I 77
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 77
8
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
9
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
10
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
11
Continue on WV 2
12 mi·13 min·State Route 2
12
Continue on WV 2
17 mi·19 min·2nd Street
13
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Wells Street
14
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi·4 min·Vine Street
15
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi·2 min·3rd Street
16
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
17
Continue on WV 2
22 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
18
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
0.4 mi·30 sec·12th Street
19
Continue on SR 872
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 872
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
21
Continue on SR 7
34 mi·44 min·SR 7
22
Turn left onto Slack Street
519 ft·14 sec·Slack Street
23
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
24
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·Franklin Avenue
25
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·North 7th Street
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
27
Merge onto US 22
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·US 22
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward CR 13: Three Springs Drive
30
Keep slight right at fork
352 ft·10 sec
31
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.7 mi·1 min·Three Springs Drive
32
At end of road, turn right onto CR 507
0.6 mi·1 min·Cove Road
33
Turn sharp left onto WV 105
45 ft·0 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
WV 105
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 56-minute duration, this trip works best as a single-day adventure, allowing you to leave at your convenience. Plan for one stop to break up the 199.4 miles, perhaps midway through the longest 76.2-mile stretch on I-77. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is helpful for budgeting. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer highway segments, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop. The state roads you'll travel on are generally well-maintained and direct.
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 99.7 miles from Elkview, WV, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.2 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 44 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.7 miles or 1h 50m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton Heights, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elkview, 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 Elkview, WV
This is one driving day of about 199.4 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Elkview, 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 77 for about 76.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 193.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 119 / Elk River Road
Turn sharp left onto US 119 / Elk River Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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...
5
157.3 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|North 7th Street
Turn right onto North 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.18 one way
$62.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$34.09
$68.19
premium
$4.70
$36.90
$73.81
diesel
$5.61
$44.03
$88.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
Efficient EV
49.9
0
$17.45
$7.98
EV Truck/SUV
79.8
0
$27.92
$12.76
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 18, 2026
Origin
Elkview, WV
Late night
in Elkview on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weirton Heights, WV
Late night
in Weirton Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
14 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
3h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 64% of the total mileage on major roads like I-77 and North State Rt. 2. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 76.2 miles on I-77, which offers a chance for sustained driving. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of SR 7 and North State Rt. 2 suggests a transition to more direct state routes as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll experience both the speed of interstate travel and the more grounded feel of state-maintained roads.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.2 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and SR 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 119 / Elk River Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 199.4 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: near the start (US 119 / Elk River Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 87.5 miles (WV 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles (WV 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Elkview, WV to Weirton Heights, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
87.5 mi in|~1h 36m|via WV 2
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 199.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.2 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Weirton Heights, WV before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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: near the start (US 119 / Elk River Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 87.5 miles (WV 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles (WV 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Weirton Heights, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
