Martinsburg to Kenova is 359.7 miles and takes about 6h 38m via Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and US 40, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, connecting the Southeast region to itself. It's a straightforward drive that mixes highway cruising with surface road travel, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Expect a steady pace suitable for a one-day road trip.
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
179.9 miles from Martinsburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
147.8 mi
2h 38m
US 40
105.8 mi
1h 56m
I 64
56.8 mi
1h 3m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
19.8 mi
21m
I 81
6.9 mi
7m
I 68
6.1 mi
6m
Williamsport Pike
3.2 mi
4m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 147.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-68
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~983 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,330
Quietest
2 AM
~84 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
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 Kenova, 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
106 mi·1 hr 56 min·US 40
Toward US 40, I 68: CumberlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Given the 6h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Martinsburg in the morning will allow you to reach Kenova before dark. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a brief refuel or a more substantial break. The longest stretch on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway is over 147 miles, so plan a quick stop before or after this segment to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 147.8-mile mark on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, as services might be less frequent there.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.9 miles from Martinsburg, WV, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.8 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.9 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenova, 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 359.7 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 Senator Jennings Randolph Highway for about 147.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.2 and 151.4 — 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
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-79 S: Fairmont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-79 S: Fairmont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.21 one way
$114.42 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$62.38
$124.76
premium
$4.78
$67.68
$135.35
diesel
$5.35
$75.76
$151.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.77
$17.27
Efficient EV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.39
EV Truck/SUV
143.9
1
$50.36
$23.02
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Martinsburg, WV
Afternoon
in Martinsburg on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kenova, WV
Afternoon
in Kenova on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
NE 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
1 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 260.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 50% highway, meaning you'll experience a good mix of driving. The longest continuous stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway covers 147.8 miles. After that, you'll transition to US 40 and I 64, which will feel more like typical interstate driving with a higher density of exits and merges. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from more open highway sections to busier, potentially more urbanized areas.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.8 mi on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 359.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,436 ft452 ft
Total Climb
2,657 ft
Total Descent
2,553 ft
Highest Point
2,436 ft
~102.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,985 ft
Notable High Points
2,436 ft at ~102.8 miles+849 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Community Cup Coffee And More
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Martinsburg, WV
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00; Sa 08:00-20:00; Su cl...
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 6h 38m. Total distance: 359.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.8 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Kenova, 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 22 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 and Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenova, WV before the return drive.
