Origin
Morgantown, WV
Night in Morgantown on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morgantown, WV to Alderson, WV
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
181.3 mi
292 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morgantown, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Alderson, WV
Jason Sherrod
Trip Overview
Morgantown to Alderson is 181.3 miles and takes about 3h 55m via Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and US 19, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within West Virginia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a fast interstate cruise, making it a good option for a single-day journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.7 miles from Morgantown, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Jennings Randolph Highway | 90.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 19 | 19.4 mi | 24m |
| Levasy Road | 12.3 mi | 21m |
| Arbuckle Road | 11.4 mi | 20m |
| Brushy Ridge Road | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| Upper Millcreek Telsa Road | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Greenbrier Street | 6 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 5.5 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 90.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgantown, WV and Alderson, WV.
1
Start on High Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
High Street
2
Turn right onto Kirk Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Kirk Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 119
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
University Avenue
4
Continue on US 119
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Don Knotts Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 68 West
6
Merge onto I 68
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 68
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I-79 S: Fairmont
8
Merge onto I 79
90 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9
Take the exit onto US 19
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
US 19
Toward US 19 South: Beckley
10
Keep slight left at fork
318 ft
·
8 sec
11
Turn right onto Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Upper Millcreek Telsa Road
12
Continue on US 19
19 mi
·
23 min
·
US 19
13
Turn left onto WV 39
11 mi
·
20 min
·
Arbuckle Road
14
Turn right onto WV 20
12 mi
·
21 min
·
Levasy Road
15
Continue on WV 20
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Richwood Road
16
Continue on WV 20
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Main Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 60
184 ft
·
3 sec
·
Midland West Trail
18
Continue on US 60
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 20
19
Continue on US 60
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Greenbrier Street
20
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
21
Merge onto I 64
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 64
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 161
Toward WV 12: Alta, Alderson
23
Turn right onto WV 12
11 mi
·
19 min
·
Brushy Ridge Road
24
Continue on WV 12
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Riverside Drive
25
Continue on WV 12
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
East Riverview Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
WV 12
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 55m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Morgantown in the morning will allow you to reach Alderson with ample daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 181.3 miles, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 90.3-mile stretch on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, as services might be less frequent on these local roads. Planning your departure time will give you the most flexibility for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the drive at your own pace.
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 90.7 miles from Morgantown, WV, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.7 miles or 1h 40m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alderson, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, WV
This is one driving day of about 181.3 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Morgantown, 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 90.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.7 miles from Morgantown, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Senator Jennings Randolph Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 169.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Kirk Street
Turn right onto Kirk Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 119 / University Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 119 / University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-79 S: Fairmont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-79 S: Fairmont
4
95.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 19
Take the exit onto US 19 toward US 19 South: Beckley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 19 South: Beckley
6
169.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward WV 12: Alta, Alderson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward WV 12: Alta, Alderson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.35 one way
$56.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $31.00 | $62.00 |
| premium | $4.70 | $33.55 | $67.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.03 | $80.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
| Efficient EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.86 | $7.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.38 | $11.60 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Alderson, WV
Night in Alderson on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live 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
13 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
3h 55m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 125
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with only 16% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and US 19, with a segment on Levasy Road contributing to the local feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 90.3 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, offering a solid period of consistent driving before the road begins to change. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction and speed as you traverse this less direct path.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.3 mi on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
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 0.1 miles in near Kirk Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 181.3 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 0.1 miles (Kirk Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 119 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Morgantown, WV
Full guide →Morgantown is the third largest city in West Virginia, and is the county seat of Monongalia County. It is home to West Virginia University, the state's flagship public university and university with the largest student body in the state. The city has 30,347 residents (2020). As the largest city in the northern half of West Virginia, and sitting at the junction of I-79 and I-68, Morgantown serves as a major regional cultural center and hub for business, medicine, shopping and dining.
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 3h 55m. Total distance: 181.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.3 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 0.1 miles (Kirk Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 119 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Alderson, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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