Mullens to Weirton is 266 miles and takes about 5 hours 19 minutes via I 77 and WV Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within West Virginia, starting in the Southeast region and heading north. It's a largely highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. Consider this route if you prefer spending most of your time on interstates, with minimal time spent navigating smaller roads.
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
133 miles from Mullens, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
78.7 mi
1h 24m
West Virginia Turnpike
58.2 mi
1h 9m
SR 7
34.1 mi
44m
North State Rt. 2
22.4 mi
27m
2nd Street
16.9 mi
19m
Coalfields Expressway
14.4 mi
21m
State Route 2
11.7 mi
13m
Emerson Avenue
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 78.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mullens, WV and Weirton, WV.
1
Start on WV 16
182 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto WV 54
1.2 mi·1 min·Coalfields Expressway
3
Continue on WV 54
0.4 mi·32 sec·Moran Avenue
4
Turn right onto Mullens Connector
1.0 mi·1 min·Mullens Connector
5
Continue on WV 121
13 mi·19 min·Coalfields Expressway
6
Continue on US 121 FUT; WV 16; WV 97
3.1 mi·3 min·Robert C. Byrd Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 121 FUT
0.5 mi·57 sec·US 121 FUT
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
9
Merge onto I 64; I 77
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·West Virginia Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.9 mi·2 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: ParkersburgUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 77
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
12
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
13
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
14
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
15
Continue on WV 2
12 mi·13 min·State Route 2
16
Continue on WV 2
17 mi·19 min·2nd Street
17
Turn right onto WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Wells Street
18
Continue on WV 2
4.3 mi·4 min·Vine Street
19
Continue on WV 2
2.0 mi·2 min·3rd Street
20
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
21
Continue on WV 2
22 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
22
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
0.4 mi·30 sec·12th Street
23
Continue on SR 872
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 872
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
25
Continue on SR 7
34 mi·44 min·SR 7
26
Turn left onto Slack Street
519 ft·14 sec·Slack Street
27
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
28
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·Franklin Avenue
29
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·North 7th Street
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
31
Merge onto US 22
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
32
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
2.6 mi·5 min·WV 2
Exit 2Toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
33
Arrive at destination
WV 2
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Mullens to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can plan to take a break about halfway through, perhaps around the 2-hour mark, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the main interstates to SR 7, as fuel availability might be less frequent. This drive is well within a single day, so you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as you go.
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 133 miles from Mullens, WV, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.7 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 59 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mullens, 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 Mullens, WV
This is one driving day of about 266 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Mullens, 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 I 77 for about 78.7 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 0 and 263.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|WV 54 / Coalfields Expressway
At end of road, turn left onto WV 54 / Coalfields Expressway
Navigation decision point
7
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
5
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 77 North: Parkersburg
6
157 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North P...
6
263.4 mi into trip|~5h 14m in|WV 2
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2 toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 2
Toward WV 2 North: Downtown Weirton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.27 one way
$78.54 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.16
$86.31
premium
$4.49
$47.04
$94.08
diesel
$4.80
$50.23
$100.45
Estimated Tolls: $4.08
West Virginia Turnpike
(58.2 mi)$4.08
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
$39
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.93
$12.77
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.24
$17.02
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Mullens, WV
Night
in Mullens on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Haze
0 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Weirton, WV
Night
in Weirton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
S 1 to 5 mph52% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 19m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 36.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 76% of this 266-mile route on highways, primarily I 77 and the West Virginia Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 78.7 miles, giving you a good opportunity for sustained cruising. After the highway portions, you'll transition to SR 7 for the remainder of the trip, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you approach Weirton.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.7 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and West Virginia Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WV 54 / Coalfields Expressway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 266 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: near the start (WV 54 / Coalfields Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 77.9 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,446 ft618 ft
Total Climb
1,277 ft
Total Descent
1,942 ft
Highest Point
2,446 ft
~19 mi in
Elevation Range
1,829 ft
Notable High Points
2,446 ft at ~19 miles+1,010 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 Mullens, WV to Weirton, WV, road signs begin pointing toward Parkersburg along the way.
Weirton is a city in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. This city is built on the steel industry which you can find along the Ohio River and is origin location of Weirton Steel.
Areas of Weirton may also be recognised for their role as a filming location for the movie Super 8.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 266 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.7 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.08 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 9 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 Weirton, 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 9 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: near the start (WV 54 / Coalfields Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 77.9 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gauley River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Weirton, WV before the return drive.
