Trip from Morgantown, WV to Bluefield, WV

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

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

217 mi

349 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 58m ★

6 AM

4h 11m

8 AM

4h 37m

10 AM

4h 20m

12 PM

4h 17m

3 PM

4h 21m

5 PM

4h 36m

8 PM

4h 3m

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

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States

Morgantown, WV

Wikimedia Commons

city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States

Bluefield, WV

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 217-mile journey from Morgantown, WV, to Bluefield, WV, is a solid day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, US 19, and the West Virginia Turnpike, with about 45% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $34. Given its manageable length and the mixed driving profile, it’s well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your drive.

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

108.5 miles from Morgantown, WV

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway	90.3 mi	1h 37m
US 19	60.4 mi	1h 14m
West Virginia Turnpike	37.5 mi	40m
Big Laurel Highway	9.9 mi	11m
Upper Millcreek Telsa Road	8.6 mi	9m
Chicory Road	3.2 mi	5m
Don Knotts Boulevard	1.9 mi	2m
University Avenue	1.5 mi	2m

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 Bluefield, WV.

Start on High Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · High Street

Turn right onto Kirk Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Kirk Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 119

1.5 mi · 2 min · University Avenue

Continue on US 119

1.9 mi · 2 min · Don Knotts Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 68 West

Merge onto I 68

0.4 mi · 27 sec · I 68

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 53 sec

Toward I-79 S: Fairmont

Merge onto I 79

90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Take the exit onto US 19

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 19

Toward US 19 South: Beckley

Keep slight left at fork

318 ft · 8 sec

Turn right onto Upper Millcreek Telsa Road

8.6 mi · 9 min · Upper Millcreek Telsa Road

Continue on US 19

60 mi · 1 hr 13 min · US 19

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield

Merge onto I 64; I 77

38 mi · 40 min · West Virginia Turnpike

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 9 Toward US 460: Princeton, Pearisburg VA

Turn right onto US 460

9.9 mi · 11 min · Big Laurel Highway

Turn right onto US 19; US 52 Truck

3.2 mi · 5 min · Chicory Road

Arrive at destination

US 19; US 52 Truck

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 10-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Bluefield. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but plan for at least one break to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 90.3-mile stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, as services might be less frequent there. The $34 fuel estimate should help you budget, and it's always wise to have a little extra for unforeseen needs.

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 108.5 miles from Morgantown, WV, or about 2h 1m 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 48 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bluefield, 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 217 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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

Rainelle, WV

109 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

Clarksburg, WV

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rainelle, WV

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from Morgantown, WV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

The RailYard

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bluefield, West Virginia

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13048004141

Visit website

Tom's

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oak Hill, West Virginia

1.1 mi

El Bandido - Beckley

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Beckley, West Virginia

2 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Winnie's Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bridgeport, West Virginia

Near the start, short detour

First break · 36min in 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13049333364

Visit website

The RailYard

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Bluefield, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13048004141

Visit website

Tom's

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Oak Hill, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13044696260

Visit website

El Bandido - Beckley

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Beckley, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16812071416

Visit website

Fujiyama Japanese Steak House (Beckley )

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Beckley, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+13042500288

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Beckley, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13042563820

Visit website

Stancati's Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Sutton, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13047655000

Visit website

Calacinos Pizzeria and Sports Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Beckley, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13042531010

Visit website

Rancho Grande Méxican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Beckley, West Virginia

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13042522550

Visit website

Winnie's Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Bridgeport, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13049333364

Visit website

Tubby's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Hours: 11:30 am–7 pm

+13046231023

Visit website

Grilled Club Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13049690035

Visit website

Coco Bay Sport Cafe

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Clarksburg, West Virginia

+13046232626

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Morgantown, West Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Princeton, West Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Roanoke, West Virginia

+13042697400

Visit website

The Wow Factory

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Star City, West Virginia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13045992969

Visit website

Thurmond Historic Town

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Thurmond, West Virginia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 203.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Kirk Street

Turn right onto Kirk Street

Navigation decision point

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

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

164.9 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 64 East, I 77 South: Bluefield

203.5 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward US 460: Princeton, Pearisburg VA

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

Exit 9 Toward US 460: Princeton, Pearisburg VA

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.04 one way

$64.07 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.12	$35.21	$70.41
premium	$4.49	$38.38	$76.75
diesel	$4.80	$40.97	$81.95

Estimated Tolls: $2.63

West Virginia Turnpike (37.5 mi) $2.63

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

$32

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.1	0	$22.79	$10.42
Efficient EV	54.3	0	$18.99	$8.68
EV Truck/SUV	86.8	1	$30.38	$13.89

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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

Morgantown, WV

Late night in Morgantown on Sunday

Local time

5:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 2 to 10 mph 88% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 6:05PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Destination

Bluefield, WV

Late night in Bluefield on Sunday

Local time

5:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 8 mph 64% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 6:05PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

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 10m 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.

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 134.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, blending highway speeds with more local road conditions. With 45% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter some faster stretches, but also periods on roads like the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 90.3 miles on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway, so be prepared for a significant segment of consistent driving. This varied terrain means you'll experience different road personalities as you progress from Morgantown to Bluefield.

45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

18 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?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 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 6/10

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 217 miles you will encounter 13 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

3,198 ft 838 ft

Total Climb

2,862 ft

Total Descent

1,180 ft

Highest Point

3,198 ft

~186 mi in

Elevation Range

2,360 ft

Notable High Points

3,198 ft at ~186 miles +637 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 Morgantown, WV to Bluefield, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Pearisburg along the way.

Pearisburg

203.5 mi in | ~3h 52m

About the Cities

Starting in Morgantown, WV

Full guide →

Founded 1772

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.

Top landmarks

• Men's Hall — historic dormitory associated with the West Virginia University
• Metropolitan Theatre — theater and movie theater in Morgantown, West Virginia
• Stalnaker Hall

Arriving in Bluefield, WV

Full guide →

Bluefield is a city of 9,800 people (as of 2018) in Mercer County, West Virginia. Along with Bluefield, Virginia, it forms the micropolitan area of the Bluefields. Nestled at the foot of the 3,400-foot East River Mountain, Bluefield is the most elevated town in West Virginia, at 2,655 feet above sea level. The town is sometimes called "Summit City", because of its high altitude, and "Nature's Air-Conditioned City" for its pleasant summer temperatures. Since 1941, the Chamber of Commerce's "Lemonade Lassies" have passed out free lemonade on days when the temperature exceeds 90 °F (32 °C). The airport thermometer is used to determine this, which is at the highest point in Bluefield. It can often exceed 90° in downtown Bluefield during the summer. The area was first settled in the 1780s and incorporated in 1889.

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 4h 10m. Total distance: 217 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface 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.

Expect about $2.63 in tolls one way, starting with West Virginia Turnpike. 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 8 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 Bluefield, 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 8 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.

Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bluefield, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Morgantown, WV to Bluefield, WV

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

The RailYard

Winnie's Cafe LLC

The RailYard

Tom's

El Bandido - Beckley

Fujiyama Japanese Steak House (Beckley )

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Stancati's Family Restaurant

Calacinos Pizzeria and Sports Bar

Rancho Grande Méxican Grill

Winnie's Cafe LLC

Tubby's Cafe

Grilled Club Cafe

Coco Bay Sport Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Greenspot Charging Station

DC-America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Rest Area

Stonewall Resort State Park

The Wow Factory

Thurmond Historic Town

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Morgantown, WV

Bluefield, WV

Same local time

Very similar conditions

4h 10m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Gauley River National Recreation Area

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Morgantown, WV

Arriving in Bluefield, WV

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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