Traveling from Hinton to Martinsburg covers 259.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel should cover your travel costs, provided you maintain steady highway speeds. The route transitions across West Virginia, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Since the drive is heavily focused on major thoroughfares, it serves as a straightforward, practical way to traverse the state. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed as you navigate the nearly five-hour transit.
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
129.7 miles from Hinton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
132.2 mi
2h 22m
I 81
114.3 mi
2h 4m
Meadow Creek Road
6.8 mi
10m
Temple Street
1.8 mi
4m
WV 20
1.7 mi
2m
Winchester Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Apple Harvest Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
West King Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 132.2 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 81 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,834 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,334
Quietest
2 AM
~250 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hinton, WV and Martinsburg, 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
6.8 mi·10 min·Meadow Creek Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
132 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 64
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
114 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 81
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward WV 45: Charles Town, Shepherdstown
10
Turn right onto WV 45
0.3 mi·55 sec·Apple Harvest Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 11
1.3 mi·2 min·Winchester Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
0.3 mi·35 sec·West King Street
13
Arrive at destination
East King Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly five-hour trip, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic periods on the interstates. Since you only have one recommended stop, choose a location around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 132.2-mile stretch on I-64, as finding a service station is most convenient near major interchanges. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on a one-day drive of this length, allowing you to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions. Staying alert during the long highway segments is essential, so plan your single break strategically to ensure you arrive in Martinsburg feeling energized.
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 129.7 miles from Hinton, WV, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.2 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martinsburg, 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.
+
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 Hinton, WV
This is one driving day of about 259.4 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Hinton, 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 64 for about 132.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 257.7 — 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
5
10.6 mi into trip|~17m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
257.2 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward WV 45: Charles Town, Shepherdstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 45: Charles Town, Shepherdstown
5
257.4 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|WV 45 / Apple Harvest Drive
Turn right onto WV 45 / Apple Harvest Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
257.7 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|US 11 / Winchester Avenue
Turn left onto US 11 / Winchester Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.30 one way
$76.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.09
$84.17
premium
$4.49
$45.87
$91.75
diesel
$4.80
$48.98
$97.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.8
0
$27.24
$12.45
Efficient EV
64.9
0
$22.70
$10.38
EV Truck/SUV
103.8
1
$36.32
$16.60
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hinton, WV
Night
in Hinton on Saturday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM EDT until July 18 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:27AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Martinsburg, WV
Night
in Martinsburg on Saturday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 2 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM EDT until July 18 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:27AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
60°F
Buena Vista, VA
130 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 48m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
near mile 259.4
Park Closure: Annual Closure to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons
Caution: Construction work at entrance to Visitor Center parking lot
The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River cont...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 17.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of this route consists of major roads like I-64 and I-81. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.2 miles on I-64. While the drive utilizes Meadow Creek Road for localized access, the majority of your steering will be done on high-speed arterial highways. This layout creates a consistent, fast-paced environment that prioritizes efficiency over technical mountain driving. Be prepared for a steady, reliable commute that relies heavily on standard interstate infrastructure to move you quickly toward your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 48m 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: near the start (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 10.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Hinton is a city in Summers County, West Virginia, population 2,266 (2020). It borders the southern edge of New River Gorge National Park, and acts as an anchor to its southern end, being the closest town to Sandstone Falls and the park's Sandstone Visitors Center, located near exit 139 off I-64.
Top landmarks
•Hinton Historic District — historic district in West Virginia, United States
Martinsburg is a city of 17,000 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. Founded in 1778, it was named in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, a nephew of Lord Fairfax from Kent, who had moved to the general area around 1735.
Top landmarks
•Baltimore and Ohio and Related Industries Historic District — historic district in West Virginia, United States
•Adam Stephen House — building in West Virginia, United States
•Apollo Civic Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Martinsburg, West Viriginia, United States
The longest stretch is about 132.2 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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.
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: near the start (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 10.6 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Martinsburg, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
