Origin
Hinton, WV
Night in Hinton on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hinton, WV to Wheeling, WV
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
249.3 mi
401 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hinton, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Wheeling, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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: Charleston
Use 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: Parkersburg
Use 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.7 miles from Hinton, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 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
$38.99 one way
$77.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $42.63 | $85.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $46.14 | $92.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.04 | $110.08 |
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
$39
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Wheeling, WV
Night in Wheeling on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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 Effort
6/10
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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
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.
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 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. 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.
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.
How this page is built
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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