Connecting Hinton to Charleston, this 90.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek across West Virginia. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $14, it is an economical route that bridges the gap between the state’s southeastern region and the capital city. Because the path is quite efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to explore either end of the trip at your own pace. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable connection through the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from Hinton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Virginia Turnpike
60.1 mi
1h 11m
I 64
18.7 mi
20m
Meadow Creek Road
6.9 mi
10m
Temple Street
1.8 mi
4m
WV 20
1.7 mi
2m
100
0.4 mi
<1m
Washington Street East
0.1 mi
<1m
Dickinson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
West Virginia Turnpike
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hinton, WV and Charleston, WV.
1
Start on this road
190 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
182 ft·10 sec·4th Avenue
3
Turn right onto WV 20
1.8 mi·4 min·Temple Street
4
Continue on WV 20
1.7 mi·2 min·WV 20
5
Continue on WV 20
6.9 mi·10 min·Meadow Creek Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
18 mi·19 min·I 64
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
0.4 mi·50 sec·I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 77 North: CharlestonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 64; I 77
60 mi·1 hr 11 min·West Virginia Turnpike
10
Take the exit onto 100
0.4 mi·56 sec·100
Toward Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Leon Sullivan Way
12
Turn right onto US 60
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street East
13
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
414 ft·9 sec·Dickinson Street
14
Arrive at destination
Dickinson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive under two hours, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around peak traffic times to ensure a smooth transition onto the Turnpike. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you have the freedom to drive the entire 90.5 miles in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the high percentage of highway travel, maintain a steady speed and be prepared for the typical merging patterns associated with I-64. Take advantage of the trip's brevity by planning your arrival in Charleston early, allowing you to maximize your time in the city without the fatigue of a long-haul journey.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.2 miles from Hinton, WV, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.1 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hinton, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hinton, WV
This is one driving day of about 90.5 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Hinton, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on West Virginia Turnpike for about 60.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 90.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|4th Avenue
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
29.1 mi into trip|~37m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 77 North: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West, I 77 North: Charleston
5
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|100
Take the exit onto 100 toward Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street
5
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Leon Sullivan Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Leon Sullivan Way
5
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 60 / Washington Street East
Turn right onto US 60 / Washington Street East
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.15 one way
$28.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.47
$30.95
premium
$4.70
$16.75
$33.50
diesel
$5.61
$19.98
$39.96
Estimated Tolls: $4.21
West Virginia Turnpike
(60.1 mi)$4.21
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
$14
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.2
0
$9.50
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.92
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.67
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Hinton, WV
Late night
in Hinton on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charleston, WV
Late night
in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Mount Hope, WV
45 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
13 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
1h 51m 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?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with about 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like the West Virginia Turnpike and I-64. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on the West Virginia Turnpike, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 60.1 miles. While the route begins with local connections like Meadow Creek Road, the character shifts quickly to a more high-speed, interstate-driven experience. Expect a consistent pace as you transition from local roads to the primary highway system, ensuring you cover the distance efficiently.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.1 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 64. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
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 90.5 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.6 miles (100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,641 ft596 ft
Total Climb
1,968 ft
Total Descent
2,835 ft
Highest Point
2,641 ft
~22.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,045 ft
Notable High Points
1,919 ft at ~7.5 miles+543 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 90.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.1 miles on West Virginia Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.21 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.6 miles (100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charleston, WV before heading back.
