Martinsburg to Benwood is 215 miles and takes about 4 hours 25 minutes via US 40 and I-70, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, traversing the state's eastern and northern panhandle regions. Expect a mixed drive, blending highway speeds with more local road sections. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
107.6 miles from Martinsburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 40
67 mi
1h 15m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
57.3 mi
1h 9m
National Pike
28.6 mi
38m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
20.8 mi
22m
USS West Virginia Memorial Highway
12.2 mi
14m
I 81
6.9 mi
7m
Williamsport Pike
3.2 mi
4m
US 40 Business
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 67 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,484 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,863
Quietest
2 AM
~173 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsburg, WV and Benwood, WV.
1
Start on East King Street
166 ft·34 sec·East King Street
2
Continue on East King Street
182 ft·12 sec·East King Street
3
Turn right onto US 11; WV 9; WV 45
1.2 mi·1 min·South Queen Street
4
Continue on US 11; WV 9
1.4 mi·2 min·Edwin Miller Boulevard
5
Continue on WV 9
0.1 mi·10 sec·Hedgesville Road
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 81 North
7
Merge onto I 81
6.9 mi·7 min·I 81
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward US 11: Marlowe, Falling Waters
9
Turn left onto US 11
3.2 mi·4 min·Williamsport Pike
10
Turn left onto US 11
202 ft·4 sec·Commerce Street
11
Continue on US 11
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Potomac Street
12
Turn left onto MD 63
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Artizan Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on MD 63
2.0 mi·3 min·Greencastle Pike
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 70 West: Hancock
15
Merge onto I 70
15 mi·15 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.1 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
5.0 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40
66 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 40
Toward US 40, I 68: CumberlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto US 40
0.7 mi·1 min·US 40
Toward US 40 West: Uniontown
20
Merge onto US 40
0.2 mi·20 sec·Garrett Highway
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 40
29 mi·38 min·National Pike
22
Take the exit onto US 40 Business
3.2 mi·5 min·US 40 Business
Toward US 40 Business: Uniontown
23
Turn right onto PA 51
1.1 mi·1 min·Pittsburgh Street
24
Continue on PA 51
0.5 mi·41 sec·Pittsburgh Road
25
Turn left onto Northgate Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Northgate Highway
26
Turn right onto Old Pittsburgh Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Old Pittsburgh Road
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
28
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
21 mi·22 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 36BToward I 70 West: Washington PA
30
Merge onto I 70
38 mi·48 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on I 70
9.2 mi·10 min·USS West Virginia Memorial Highway
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 470
2.9 mi·4 min·USS West Virginia Memorial Highway
Toward I 470 West: Columbus OH
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 250, WV 2: Wheeling, Moundsville
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
35
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
36
Merge onto US 250; WV 2
1.7 mi·1 min·US 250; WV 2
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
38
Turn right onto McMechen Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·McMechen Street
39
Turn right onto 4th Street
255 ft·16 sec·4th Street
40
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Main Street
41
Turn left onto 5th Street
24 ft·1 sec·5th Street
42
Arrive at destination
5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 25 minute drive time, departing Martinsburg in the morning will allow you to reach Benwood well before evening. The longest stretch without a major town is 67 miles on US 40, so consider fueling up before leaving a more populated area to ensure you have plenty of gas. While you could technically do this in one go, a brief stop for a break around the halfway point would make the journey more comfortable. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
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 107.6 miles from Martinsburg, WV, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.6 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benwood, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Martinsburg, 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 Martinsburg, WV
This is one driving day of about 215.3 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Martinsburg, 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 US 40 for about 67 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.2 and 106.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.2 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 11: Marlowe, Falling Waters
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11: Marlowe, Falling Waters
6
14 mi into trip|~19m in|MD 63 / North Artizan Street
Turn left onto MD 63 / North Artizan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
16.6 mi into trip|~24m in|I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
39.5 mi into trip|~48m in|US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 toward US 40, I 68: Cumberland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 40, I 68: Cumberland
5
106.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 40 / National Pike
At end of road, turn left onto US 40 / National Pike
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.24 one way
$68.49 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$37.34
$74.68
premium
$4.78
$40.51
$81.02
diesel
$5.35
$45.35
$90.70
Estimated Tolls: $1.46
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(20.8 mi)$1.46
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
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 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
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.14
$13.78
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Martinsburg, WV
Afternoon
in Martinsburg on Wednesday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Benwood, WV
Afternoon
in Benwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 25m 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.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Historical Park
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$20
Park Closure: Annual Closure to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons
Caution: Construction work at entrance to Visitor Center parking lot
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a blend of driving experiences, with 48% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering quicker travel. However, a significant portion, including the longest continuous segment of 67 miles on US 40, will likely involve more local traffic and varied speed limits. The drive progresses from more open highway segments to potentially more built-up areas as you move through different towns.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67 mi on US 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 10.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 30 significant decision points across 215.3 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (MD 63 / North Artizan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Martinsburg is a city of 17,000 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. Founded in 1778, it was named in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, a nephew of Lord Fairfax from Kent, who had moved to the general area around 1735.
Top landmarks
•Baltimore and Ohio and Related Industries Historic District — historic district in West Virginia, United States
•Adam Stephen House — building in West Virginia, United States
•Apollo Civic Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Martinsburg, West Viriginia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 215.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67 miles on US 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.46 in tolls one way, starting with Mon/Fayette Expressway. 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 15 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 Benwood, 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 15 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (MD 63 / North Artizan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Benwood, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
