Connecting Hinton to Wheeling covers 249.3 miles of West Virginia terrain, typically taking 4 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the journey. The trip primarily utilizes I-77, the West Virginia Turnpike, and North State Rt. 2 to navigate from the southeast part of the state toward the north. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that serves as an efficient way to cross the state, though you should be prepared for nearly five hours behind the wheel.
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
124.7 miles from Hinton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
78.7 mi
1h 24m
West Virginia Turnpike
60.9 mi
1h 12m
North State Rt. 2
23.7 mi
29m
I 64
18.7 mi
20m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
Wheeling Avenue
9.4 mi
12m
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 Wheeling, 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
24 mi·29 min·North State Rt. 2
22
Continue on US 250; WV 2
9.4 mi·12 min·Wheeling Avenue
23
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.3 mi·42 sec·WV 2
24
Turn left onto 17th Street
333 ft·16 sec·17th Street
25
Turn right onto WV 2
323 ft·5 sec·Chapline Street
26
Arrive at destination
WV 2
Trip Plan
To keep your trip on schedule, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the nearly five-hour trek. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding traffic fluctuations and ensuring you reach Wheeling with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the route relies heavily on the West Virginia Turnpike, keep your payment method ready for toll sections to ensure a seamless experience. Given the 249.3-mile distance, consider packing snacks and water to minimize the need for extra stops. Use the longest 78.7-mile stretch on I-77 as a benchmark for your progress, allowing you to gauge exactly when you are ready for a break.
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 124.7 miles from Hinton, WV, or about 2h 27m 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 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
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 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 249.3 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 169.6 — 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
5
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.81 one way
$73.61 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.45
$80.89
premium
$4.49
$44.09
$88.18
diesel
$4.80
$47.07
$94.15
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
$37
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.8
0
$26.18
$11.97
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.81
$9.97
EV Truck/SUV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hinton, WV
Night
in Hinton on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 12:49AM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 7:38PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Wheeling, WV
Night
in Wheeling on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 12:49AM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 7:38PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
4h 52m 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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a highway-focused profile, with 70% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-77, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.7 miles. As you transition from the Turnpike onto North State Rt. 2, the character of the road shifts, providing a change in pace from the initial interstate grind. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging, as you move through different segments of the West Virginia landscape. It is a practical route that favors speed and directness over winding, technical backroads.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 14 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 249.3 miles you will encounter 14 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
2,672 ft617 ft
Total Climb
1,411 ft
Total Descent
2,211 ft
Highest Point
2,672 ft
~17.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,055 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 Wheeling, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Parkersburg
169.2 mi in|~3h 15m|via WV 2
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The Belgian Waffle Shop
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Empress Emporium
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
La Cafe
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Donut Connection
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Cuisine: donut
Stoked Coffee
Cafe
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-19:00; Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 09...
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
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 249.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). 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.
Yes — we found about 5 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 5 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: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wheeling, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
