Martinsburg, WV to Moundsville, WV is 232.1 miles and takes about 4 hours 25 minutes via US 40 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, connecting the Southeast region of the state with itself. It's a manageable drive with a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward route, it offers a practical way to traverse a good portion of the state without requiring an overnight stop.
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
116.1 miles from Martinsburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 40
105.8 mi
1h 56m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
19.8 mi
21m
Dragon Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Waynesburg Pike Road
14.8 mi
16m
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
12.4 mi
13m
Cleveland Avenue
12.3 mi
13m
Hornet Highway
11.1 mi
12m
Husky Highway
9.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 105.8 mi, about 1h 56m
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 Moundsville, 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.
19
Continue on I 68
6.1 mi·6 min·I 68
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·53 sec
Toward I-79 S: Fairmont
21
Merge onto I 79
12 mi·13 min·Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
23
Turn left onto WV 273
0.4 mi·59 sec·Fairmont Gateway Connector
24
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
122 ft·2 sec·Fairmont Gateway Connector
25
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi·23 sec·Fairmont Gateway Connector
26
Enter roundabout onto WV 273
128 ft·3 sec·Fairmont Gateway Connector
27
Continue on WV 273
0.2 mi·24 sec·Fairmont Gateway Connector
28
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street
29
Turn left onto US 19
0.1 mi·22 sec·Jackson Street
30
Turn right onto US 250
12 mi·13 min·Cleveland Avenue
31
Continue on US 250
1.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
32
Continue on US 250
9.3 mi·10 min·Husky Highway
33
Continue on US 250
11 mi·12 min·Hornet Highway
34
Continue on US 250
15 mi·17 min·Dragon Highway
35
Turn left onto US 250
15 mi·16 min·Waynesburg Pike Road
36
Turn right onto US 250
0.8 mi·1 min·1st Street
37
Turn left onto CH 250/88
0.3 mi·40 sec·Jefferson Avenue
38
Turn right onto 5th Street
38 ft·1 sec·5th Street
39
Arrive at destination
5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4 hour 25 minute drive, departing Martinsburg in the morning will give you ample time to reach Moundsville before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 232.1 miles at a point that feels comfortable, perhaps around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling before you hit longer stretches with fewer services. The Dwight D Eisenhower Highway portion will offer opportunities for quicker travel, so factor that into your pacing.
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 116.1 miles from Martinsburg, WV, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moundsville, 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 232.1 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 105.8 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 22
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
$34.27 one way
$68.53 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.66
$75.31
premium
$4.49
$41.05
$82.09
diesel
$4.80
$43.82
$87.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.31
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.49
$14.85
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 18, 2026
Origin
Martinsburg, WV
Late night
in Martinsburg on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Patchy Smoke
W 7 to 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:01PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:54PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Moundsville, WV
Late night
in Moundsville on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 12 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:01PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:54PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
5 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 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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 53% of this drive is on highways like the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, offering sections of faster travel. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on US 40, covering 105.8 miles. Expect a mixed profile, transitioning between highway speeds and surface road cruising. The route includes segments that feel like rural travel interspersed with periods of more direct highway driving.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on US 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in.
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 232.1 miles you will encounter 22 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 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
2,247 ft452 ft
Total Climb
2,295 ft
Total Descent
2,052 ft
Highest Point
2,247 ft
~99.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,795 ft
Notable High Points
2,247 ft at ~99.5 miles+705 ft prominence
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 Martinsburg, WV to Moundsville, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Fairmont along the way.
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: 232.1 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 105.8 miles on US 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Moundsville, 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 11 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 Moundsville, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
