Mineral Wells Rest Area Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Gilbert Creek, WV to Wheeling, WV
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
244 mi
393 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gilbert Creek, WV
Chris Flaten
Wheeling, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gilbert Creek to Wheeling is 244 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 77, US 119, and North State Rt. 2, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive. Plan for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable for most drivers. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
122 miles from Gilbert Creek, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 77 | 78.4 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 119 | 53.4 mi | 1h 1m |
| North State Rt. 2 | 23.7 mi | 29m |
| WV 44 | 17 mi | 29m |
| 2nd Street | 16.9 mi | 19m |
| State Route 2 | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Wheeling Avenue | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 52 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert Creek, WV and Wheeling, WV.
1
Start on CR 13
4.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Gilbert Creek Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 52
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 52
3
Turn right onto WV 44
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
WV 44
4
Turn slight right onto WV 44
15 mi
·
26 min
·
WV 44
5
Continue on WV 73
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
WV 73
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 119 North: Charleston
7
Merge onto US 119
52 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 119
8
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 119
Toward I 64 East, I 77, I 79, US 119 North: Charleston, Beckley
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
11
Merge onto I 77
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
13
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
14
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft
·
3 sec
·
WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
15
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Emerson Avenue
16
Continue on WV 2
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 2
17
Continue on WV 2
17 mi
·
19 min
·
2nd Street
18
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Wells Street
19
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Vine Street
20
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Street
21
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North State Route 2
22
Continue on WV 2
24 mi
·
29 min
·
North State Rt. 2
23
Continue on US 250; WV 2
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Wheeling Avenue
24
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
WV 2
25
Turn left onto 17th Street
333 ft
·
16 sec
·
17th Street
26
Turn right onto WV 2
323 ft
·
5 sec
·
Chapline Street
27
Arrive at destination
WV 2
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Aim to leave in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid needing to navigate unfamiliar roads after dark. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to minimize stops. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 78.4 miles on I 77, you can decide to stop once for a break or push through if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving I 77, as services might be less frequent on the state routes.
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 122 miles from Gilbert Creek, WV, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 54 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 37m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheeling, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gilbert Creek, 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 Gilbert Creek, WV
This is one driving day of about 244 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Gilbert Creek, 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 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122 miles from Gilbert Creek, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Mineral Wells Rest Area Southbound
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 84.1 and 164.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
84.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
US 119
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119 toward I 64 East, I 77, I 79, US 119 North: Charleston, Beckley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East, I 77, I 79, US 119 North: Cha...
5
85.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
5
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
163.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
164.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m 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
$36.02 one way
$72.05 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $39.59 | $79.18 |
| premium | $4.49 | $43.15 | $86.30 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.07 | $92.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.62 | $11.71 |
| Efficient EV | 61 | 0 | $21.35 | $9.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.16 | $15.62 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Origin
Gilbert Creek, WV
Late night in Gilbert Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Clear
S 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 7:38PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 6:45PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Wheeling, WV
Late night in Wheeling on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Clear
SW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 7:38PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 6:45PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
86°F
Charleston, WV
122 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
4 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 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 71% of the drive on high-speed roads like I 77. You'll experience a longest stretch of 78.4 miles on I 77 before transitioning to US 119 and then North State Rt. 2. Expect a more rural cruising feel once you leave the interstate, with fewer exits and potentially slower speeds on the state routes. The change from interstate to surface roads will be noticeable as you approach your destination.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and US 119. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.1 miles in near US 119.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 244 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 84.1 miles (US 119): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,174 ft
617 ft
Total Climb
456 ft
Total Descent
896 ft
Highest Point
1,174 ft
~37.5 mi in
Elevation Range
557 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gilbert Creek, WV and Wheeling, WV, road signs point toward Beckley and Parkersburg.
Beckley
84.1 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via US 119
Parkersburg
163.9 mi in
|
~3h 22m
|
via WV 2
About the Cities
Starting in Gilbert Creek, WV
Full guide →Arriving in Wheeling, WV
Full guide →Founded 1769
Wheeling, also known as the "Friendly City" or the "Nail City", is a city of 26,000 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. Wheeling is known for having more Victorian architecture than any other city in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Wheeling Suspension Bridge — bridge in West Virginia, United States
- • Madonna of the Trail — series of 12 monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the United St...
- • West Virginia Independence Hall — historic government building in Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
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 4h 59m. Total distance: 244 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Wheeling, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 84.1 miles (US 119): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Wheeling, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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