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Trip from Fairmont, WV to Belle, WV

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

150.8 mi

243 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

county seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States

Fairmont, WV

Wikimedia Commons

town in West Virginia, United States

Belle, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fairmont to Belle is 150.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 49 minutes via Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and US 60, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in West Virginia. Expect a route that involves frequent turns, characteristic of local drives rather than a straight shot. With a recommended one-day duration, this journey offers a practical way to travel between these two locations without requiring an overnight stay.

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

75.4 miles from Fairmont, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 135.1 mi 2h 25m
US 60 7 mi 10m
I 77 6.5 mi 8m
Fairmont Gateway Connector 0.8 mi 1m
Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
Midland Avenue 0.3 mi 1m
Old US 60 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Senator Jennings Randolph Highway — 135.1 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, WV and Belle, WV.

1

Start on Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · Jefferson Street
2

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
3

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

129 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
4

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
5

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

128 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
6

Continue on WV 273

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 79

135 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9

Merge onto I 77

6.5 mi · 8 min · I 77
10

Take the exit onto US 60

7.0 mi · 10 min · US 60
Toward US 60 East: Midland Trail, Belle Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto Midland Avenue

154 ft · 8 sec · Midland Avenue
12

At end of road, turn right onto Midland Avenue

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Midland Avenue
13

Continue on Midland Avenue

233 ft · 12 sec · Midland Avenue
14

Turn right onto CR 60/18

0.3 mi · 1 min · Old US 60
15

Arrive at destination

CR 60/18

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour 49 minute estimated drive time and 150.8 miles, starting in the morning is ideal to allow for flexibility. While the drive is under three hours, the 'turn-heavy' nature suggests planning for potential delays. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing, especially considering the longest stretch is 135.1 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, where fuel stops might be less frequent. Factor in one stop to break up the drive and stay refreshed.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.4 miles from Fairmont, WV, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.1 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 33 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 75.4 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle, WV than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, WV

This is one driving day of about 150.8 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Fairmont, 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 135.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Craigsville, WV, WV

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Craigsville, WV

75 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Weston, WV

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Craigsville, WV

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.4 miles from Fairmont, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 150.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
143.2 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in | US 60

Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Midland Trail, Belle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 60 East: Midland Trail, Belle
5
150.2 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | Midland Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Midland Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
150.5 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | CR 60/18 / Old US 60

Turn right onto CR 60/18 / Old US 60

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.58 one way

$47.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $25.78 $51.57
premium $4.70 $27.91 $55.82
diesel $5.61 $33.29 $66.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.2 0 $15.83 $7.24
Efficient EV 37.7 0 $13.20 $6.03
EV Truck/SUV 60.3 0 $21.11 $9.65

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 21, 2026

Origin

Fairmont, WV

Late night in Fairmont on Tuesday

Local time

5:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belle, WV

Late night in Belle on Tuesday

Local time

5:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°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

18 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

2h 49m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only a 9% share of highway driving. The majority of your journey will be on local roads, demanding your attention with frequent directional changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 135.1 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, meaning you'll have a significant segment of consistent driving before needing to navigate more complex intersections. Be prepared for a driving experience that is more engaging than a typical interstate cruise.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.1 mi on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 143.2 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Fairmont, WV

Full guide →

Fairmont, nicknamed the "Friendly City", is a city of 18,313 people (as of 2020) in West Virginia, and the county seat of Marion County (pop. 56,000). It was established in 1820 as Middletown, and changed in 1843 to Fairmont, short for "Fair Mountain". The city is located on the Monongahela River at its origin at the confluence of the Tygart Valley River flowing northwest from Grafton, and the West Fork River flowing north from Clarksburg. Fairmont claims to be the origin of the Pepperoni Roll, West Virginia's official state food. Mary Lou Retton — a gold-medalist gymnast in the 1984 Olympics, who was highly popular around the country and particularly in West Virginia — came from Fairmont.

Top landmarks

  • Fairmont Senior High School — high school in West Virginia, United States
  • Robert H. Mollohan-Jefferson Street Bridge — bridge in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States
  • Masonic Temple — commercial building in Fairmont, United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 150.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (9%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 135.1 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.5 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 143.2 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Belle, WV before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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