Spanning 278.6 miles across West Virginia, this drive connects Hinton in the southeast to Weirton in the north. Expect to spend approximately 5 hours and 32 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip. You will rely heavily on I-77 and the West Virginia Turnpike, so plan for a fuel budget of about $45 to cover the distance. Because the route remains entirely within the state, you won't encounter major regional shifts, but the transition from the southern mountains to the northern panhandle offers a clear change in landscape. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that is best tackled in a single day if you are comfortable with a steady pace.
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
139.3 miles from Hinton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
78.7 mi
1h 24m
West Virginia Turnpike
60.9 mi
1h 12m
SR 7
34.1 mi
44m
North State Rt. 2
22.4 mi
27m
I 64
18.7 mi
20m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
Meadow Creek Road
6.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 78.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hinton, WV and Weirton, 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
61 mi·1 hr 12 min·West Virginia Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.9 mi·2 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: ParkersburgUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
12
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
13
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
14
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
15
Continue on WV 2
12 mi·13 min·State Route 2
16
Continue on WV 2
17 mi·19 min·2nd Street
17
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Wells Street
18
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi·4 min·Vine Street
19
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi·2 min·3rd Street
20
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
21
Continue on WV 2
22 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
22
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
0.4 mi·30 sec·12th Street
23
Continue on SR 872
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 872
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
25
Continue on SR 7
34 mi·44 min·SR 7
26
Turn left onto Slack Street
519 ft·14 sec·Slack Street
27
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
28
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·Franklin Avenue
29
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·North 7th Street
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
31
Merge onto US 22
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
32
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
2.6 mi·5 min·WV 2
Exit 2Toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
33
Arrive at destination
WV 2
Trip Plan
To keep your 5 hour and 32 minute drive comfortable, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion. With only one recommended stop, you should plan your break strategically to maximize your time on the road. Since the route involves heavy highway usage, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 78.7-mile stretches where service exits may be spaced further apart. Given the manageable duration, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on personal preference, but staying consistent with your pace will ensure you arrive in Weirton without unnecessary fatigue.
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 139.3 miles from Hinton, WV, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.7 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 43m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton, 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 278.6 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 77 for about 78.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 276 — 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
7
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
6
169.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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...
6
276 mi into trip|~5h 27m in|WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 2
Toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.57 one way
$87.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$47.64
$95.27
premium
$4.70
$51.56
$103.13
diesel
$5.61
$61.51
$123.02
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
West Virginia Turnpike
(60.9 mi)$4.27
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
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
$29.25
$13.37
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.38
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$39.00
$17.83
Gas CO2
97 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Hinton, WV
Night
in Hinton on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weirton, WV
Night
in Weirton on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph10% chanceLive 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
7 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
5h 32m 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.
Gauley River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 76% of the travel occurring on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the West Virginia Turnpike and I-77, which provides a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 78.7 miles, allowing you to settle into a rhythm before needing to navigate transitions onto SR 7. While the route is primarily a highway grind, the infrastructure is built to handle the distance reliably. Be prepared for a mix of high-speed interstate sections and the specific requirements of maneuvering through state routes as you approach your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.7 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and West Virginia Turnpike. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 278.6 miles you will encounter 20 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 90.4 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,608 ft602 ft
Total Climb
1,879 ft
Total Descent
2,587 ft
Highest Point
2,608 ft
~23.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,006 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hinton, WV to Weirton, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
169.2 mi in|~3h 15m|via WV 2
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.7 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.27 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Weirton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 90.4 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Weirton, WV before the return drive.
