Huntington to Kingwood is 223.7 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and I 64, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within West Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With over 75% of the trip on surface roads, expect a more scenic, potentially slower pace than a pure interstate trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day drive without the intensity of heavy highway travel.
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
111.8 miles from Huntington, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
144.8 mi
2h 35m
I 64
47.2 mi
51m
Morgantown Street
6.3 mi
9m
Gladesville Road
5.2 mi
8m
Grafton Road
5.1 mi
5m
Goshen Road
3.5 mi
6m
North Mountaineer Highway
2.7 mi
5m
Troy Brown Way
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 144.8 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntington, WV and Kingwood, WV.
Given the 4h 18m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Huntington should allow you to reach Kingwood with plenty of daylight. The route includes one stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, especially since much of the drive is on surface roads. With a fuel cost estimated around $37, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spread out once you transition from I 64 to the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
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 111.8 miles from Huntington, WV, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.8 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingwood, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Huntington, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Huntington, WV
This is one driving day of about 223.7 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Huntington, 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 Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 144.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 215.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Turn right onto WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
51.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 77 North, I 79: Parkersburg
5
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 / Senator Jennings Randolph Highway toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 79 North: Clarksburg
5
215.7 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|WV 7 / Kingwood Pike
Turn sharp right onto WV 7 / Kingwood Pike
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.58 one way
$71.16 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$38.80
$77.59
premium
$4.78
$42.09
$84.18
diesel
$5.35
$47.12
$94.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.32
$14.32
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Huntington, WV
Afternoon
in Huntington on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kingwood, WV
Afternoon
in Kingwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% 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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 18m 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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 84.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 22% on the highway. You'll experience 144.8 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, which forms the longest stretch of your drive. After leaving the highway, expect a more rural cruising feel as you navigate Morgantown Street and other local roads towards your destination.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.8 mi on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard.
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 223.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 1.1 miles (WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,951 ft566 ft
Total Climb
1,919 ft
Total Descent
678 ft
Highest Point
1,951 ft
~207.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,385 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 Huntington, WV to Kingwood, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 77 along the way.
Huntington is the second-largest city in West Virginia. Along the banks of the Ohio River, Huntington is home to Marshall University, a state-supported public university and the second largest in the state, as well as Huntington Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the state. Claiming to be the origin of the West Virginia-style hot dog, and home to the world's largest rotating root beer mug, Huntington, nicknamed the "Jewel City" is a historic, walkable small city that offers the intrepid traveler several unique cultural diversions, with an excellent music and restaurant scene for its size.
Top landmarks
•Huntington Museum of Art — non-profit organization in Huntington, West Virginia, USA
•Downtown Huntington Historic District — US national historic district in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia
•Camden Park — amusement park located near Huntington, West Virginia
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 223.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.8 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Kingwood, 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 12 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: at 1.1 miles (WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kingwood, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
