Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering LLC
Near the start, right off the route
Hinton, West Virginia
+13043094157
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 32m
Distance
278.8 mi
449 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hinton, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Weirton Heights, WV
Federated Art
Traveling from Hinton to Weirton Heights covers 278.8 miles across West Virginia, a journey that typically takes 5 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because this trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the trip. Utilizing a combination of I-64, US 19, and the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, you will transition through the state's diverse geography. It is a straightforward, practical route that connects the southeastern part of the state to the northern reaches, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach their destination without multiple days of 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
139.4 miles from Hinton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 139.3 mi | 2h 31m |
| US 19 | 67.2 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 64 | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| Southern Beltway | 13 mi | 13m |
| US 22 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| I 79 | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| Meadow Creek Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Joe L. Smith Drive | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hinton, WV and Weirton Heights, WV.
Start on this road
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Turn right onto WV 20
Continue on WV 20
Continue on WV 20
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Continue on Joe L. Smith Drive
Turn right onto US 19; WV 16
Take the exit onto US 19
Take the exit
Merge onto I 79; US 19
Take the exit onto I 79
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on PA Tpke 576
Take the exit
Turn left
Merge onto US 22
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WV 105
Turn left onto WV 105
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 105
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 5-hour and 32-minute trip, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay fresh and alert. Leaving early in the morning allows you to capitalize on the daylight hours and provides flexibility if you encounter unexpected traffic. Given the $45 fuel estimate, it is wise to monitor your gauge during the long 139.3-mile stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, as services may be spaced out. Keep in mind that while the route is efficient enough for a single day, having only one planned stop means you should pack snacks and supplies to remain self-sufficient between your origin and destination.
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.
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 61 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 51m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton Heights, WV than in the middle of the route.
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 278.8 miles and 5h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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.
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.4 miles from Hinton, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Hinton, West Virginia
Near the start, right off the route
+13043094157
Plaza Azteca Méxican Restaurant | Washington
Washington, Pennsylvania
Bob Evans
Washington, Pennsylvania
Near the start, right off the route
Hinton, West Virginia
+13043094157
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17245034781
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17242288899
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Beaver, West Virginia
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+13047632227
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17248521133
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+13049690035
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+17242012903
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oak Hill, West Virginia
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+13044696260
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336224743
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Washington, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Fairmont, West Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Morgantown, West Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Morgantown, West Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Star City, West Virginia
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+13045992969
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Daniels, West Virginia
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+13047630817
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Thurmond, West Virginia
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Roanoke, West Virginia
+13042697400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.3 and 265.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto US 19 toward US 19 North: Summersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 22: Pittsburgh, Weirton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left toward PA Tpke 576 East, US 22 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Weirton
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$43.60 one way
$87.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $51.60 | $103.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.56 | $123.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.91
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.03 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hinton on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Weirton Heights on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This 278.8-mile journey offers a mixed drive profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend about 38% of your time on highways, balancing interstate cruising with stretches on regional routes. A significant portion of your travel includes a 139.3-mile run along the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your trip. Expect the road character to shift as you move from the initial legs onto the main arteries, providing a varied experience that prevents the monotony of a purely interstate commute.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.3 miles in near US 19.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 278.8 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 33.3 miles (US 19): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.1 miles (I 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,512 ft
Total Descent
2,774 ft
Highest Point
2,607 ft
~23.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,721 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hinton, WV and Weirton Heights, WV, road signs point toward Beckley, Pa Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport, Pa Tpke 576 West and Weirton.
Beckley
Pa Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport
Pa Tpke 576 West
Weirton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 278.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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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