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Trip from Mineral Wells, WV to Fairmont, WV

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

97.5 mi

157 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Mineral Wells, WV, WV

Mineral Wells, WV

Federated Art

county seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States

Fairmont, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Mineral Wells to Fairmont, this 97.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek through West Virginia that takes roughly 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight accommodations along the way. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the excursion, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Navigating primarily via Old 21, US 50, and Corridor D, you will stay entirely within the state of West Virginia throughout the drive. Since the entire trip takes place within the Southeast region, you can anticipate consistent road conditions and regional travel patterns from start to finish.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Corridor D 72.2 mi 1h 24m
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway 16.1 mi 17m
I 77 5.9 mi 6m
Fairmont Gateway Connector 1.2 mi 2m
Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
Old 21 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Corridor D — 72.2 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mineral Wells, WV and Fairmont, WV.

1

Start on Old 21

23 ft · 2 sec · Old 21
2

Continue on WV 14

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Old 21
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
4

Merge onto I 77; WV 2

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 77; WV 2
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
6

Turn right onto US 50

72 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Corridor D
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 79 North
8

Merge onto I 79

16 mi · 17 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
10

Turn left onto WV 273

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fairmont Gateway Connector
11

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

122 ft · 2 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
12

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
13

Enter roundabout onto WV 273

128 ft · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
14

Continue on WV 273

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
15

Continue on Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · Jefferson Street
16

Arrive at destination

Jefferson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during daylight hours is best to navigate the turn-heavy local roads safely. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping your gas tank topped off before leaving Mineral Wells is a smart way to ensure your $16 fuel budget stays on track. Watch for changes in road signage as you transition between the local routes, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be relying on smaller, secondary roads for the entire 97.5 miles. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider building in a buffer for your arrival time to account for the technical nature of these local turns.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 21 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.8 miles or 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmont, WV than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mineral Wells, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mineral Wells, WV

This is one driving day of about 97.5 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Mineral Wells, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Corridor D for about 72.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Salem, WV, WV

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Salem, WV

49 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

Saint Marys, WV

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salem, WV

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Mineral Wells, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Corridor D if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Grilled Club Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.6

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13049690035

Visit website

Tubby's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clarksburg, West Virginia

0.9 mi

Winnie's Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bridgeport, West Virginia

2.7 mi

Grilled Club Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.6

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13049690035

Visit website

Tubby's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.6

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–7 pm

+13046231023

Visit website

Winnie's Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.6

Bridgeport, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13049333364

Visit website

Crossroads Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 41.8

Pennsboro, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13046592777

The Crystal Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7

Parkersburg, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13044285680

Visit website

Koba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7

Vienna, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16812291091

Visit website

Coco Bay Sport Cafe

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.6

Clarksburg, West Virginia

+13046232626

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 97.5

Fairmont, West Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 97 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

4
6.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
4
78.8 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 79 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 79 North
5
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
5
97 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in | WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Enter roundabout onto WV 273 / Fairmont Gateway Connector

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.25 one way

$30.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $16.67 $33.34
premium $4.70 $18.05 $36.09
diesel $5.61 $21.53 $43.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.3 0 $10.24 $4.68
Efficient EV 24.4 0 $8.53 $3.90
EV Truck/SUV 39 0 $13.65 $6.24

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Mineral Wells, WV

Morning in Mineral Wells on Sunday

Local time

7:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmont, WV

Morning in Fairmont on Sunday

Local time

7:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Salem, WV

49 mi in

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

3 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

1h 56m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate winding local roads that demand your full attention, providing a more engaged driving experience compared to high-speed turnpikes. Without any major highway stretches, the path relies on local infrastructure to connect these two points. Because the route is composed entirely of local roads, you should prepare for a varied pace that changes as you transition between sections of Old 21 and US 50. It is a practical, functional drive that requires you to stay alert through the frequent turns.

Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on Corridor D.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Arriving in Fairmont, WV

Full guide →

Fairmont, nicknamed the "Friendly City", is a city of 18,313 people (as of 2020) in West Virginia, and the county seat of Marion County (pop. 56,000). It was established in 1820 as Middletown, and changed in 1843 to Fairmont, short for "Fair Mountain". The city is located on the Monongahela River at its origin at the confluence of the Tygart Valley River flowing northwest from Grafton, and the West Fork River flowing north from Clarksburg. Fairmont claims to be the origin of the Pepperoni Roll, West Virginia's official state food. Mary Lou Retton — a gold-medalist gymnast in the 1984 Olympics, who was highly popular around the country and particularly in West Virginia — came from Fairmont.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (6%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on Corridor D. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairmont, WV before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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