Parkersburg, WV to Bolivar, WV is 274.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 68 and Corridor D, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, traversing the Southeast region. The drive offers a mixed experience of highway cruising and surface road travel. Given its manageable duration and cost, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
137.4 miles from Parkersburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 68
112.3 mi
2h 3m
Corridor D
75.3 mi
1h 28m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
29.6 mi
31m
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
29 mi
31m
Rohrersville Road
12.1 mi
18m
Mapleville Road
4.5 mi
8m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi
3m
Jefferson Pike
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 68
— 112.3 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-68
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~961 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,349
Quietest
2 AM
~80 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Parkersburg, WV and Bolivar, WV.
1
Start on WV 68; WV 618
449 ft·21 sec·Juliana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
0.2 mi·50 sec·6th Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Green Street
363 ft·19 sec·Green Street
4
Turn left onto WV 14
0.5 mi·1 min·5th Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
6
Merge onto US 50
75 mi·1 hr 28 min·Corridor D
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North
8
Merge onto I 79
29 mi·31 min·Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 68 East: Cumberland
10
Continue on I 68
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 68
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
13
Continue on I 70
25 mi·26 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 35Toward MD 66: Smithsburg, BoonsboroUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
236 ft·5 sec
Toward MD 66 South: Boonsboro, Big Cork, South Mountain CorridorUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto MD 66
4.5 mi·8 min·Mapleville Road
17
Continue on MD 66
0.7 mi·1 min·Maple Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 40 ALT
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto MD 67
19 ft·0 sec·Rohrersville Road
20
Continue on MD 67
12 mi·18 min·Rohrersville Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
22
Merge onto US 340
1.9 mi·3 min·Jefferson Pike
23
Continue on US 340
1.6 mi·2 min·William L. Wilson Freeway
24
Turn right onto Union Street
382 ft·17 sec·Union Street
25
Turn left onto Primrose Lane
300 ft·13 sec·Primrose Lane
26
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 340 ALT
0.3 mi·34 sec·Washington Street
28
Turn left onto Clay Street
94 ft·4 sec·Clay Street
29
Arrive at destination
Clay Street
Trip Plan
This 5-hour drive is easily completed in one day, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour. While there's only one recommended stop, the 112.3-mile highway segment means you'll want to ensure you have enough fuel before setting out, especially with an estimated $47 cost. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the I 68 stretch, as services might be more spread out on the surface roads that follow. This route's flexibility allows for spontaneous breaks if needed.
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 137.4 miles from Parkersburg, WV, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 38m 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 Bolivar, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parkersburg, 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 Parkersburg, WV
This is one driving day of about 274.7 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Parkersburg, 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 68 for about 112.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 274.4 — 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|6th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Green Street
At end of road, turn right onto Green Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
251.6 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward MD 66: Smithsburg, Boonsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35
Toward MD 66: Smithsburg, Boonsboro
9
251.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MD 66 South: Boonsboro, Big Cork, South Mountain Corridor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MD 66 South: Boonsboro, Big Cork, South...
6
274.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|US 340 ALT / Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 340 ALT / Washington Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.64 one way
$87.28 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$47.59
$95.17
premium
$4.78
$51.70
$103.39
diesel
$6.18
$66.83
$133.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.84
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Parkersburg, WV
Morning
in Parkersburg on Saturday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 9 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 4:42PM EDT until October 18 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 4:25PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Bolivar, WV
Morning
in Bolivar on Saturday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 4:42PM EDT until October 18 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 4:25PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM 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
9 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
5h 21m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$20
near mile 274.7
Park Closure: Bridge to Maryland Heights & C&O Canal CLOSED
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 43% of this 274.7-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a high-speed road is 112.3 miles on I 68. Expect to transition from highway travel to surface roads, which will likely involve more local traffic and varied speed limits.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.3 mi on I 68.
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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 6th Street.
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 274.7 miles you will encounter 18 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 (6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Green Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 251.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,383 ft475 ft
Total Climb
2,113 ft
Total Descent
2,225 ft
Highest Point
2,383 ft
~157 mi in
Elevation Range
1,908 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Parkersburg, WV and Bolivar, WV, road signs point toward Boonsboro, Big Cork and Mountain Corridor.
Parkersburg is a city of 30,000 people (as of 2018) in West Virginia. It was known as "Newport" when it was founded, later to be renamed Parkersburg in 1810. The city sits where the Little Kanawha River meets the Ohio river; the town of Belpre lies just across the river in Ohio. Among Parkersburg's more famous residents is Morgan Spurlock, director of the 2004 film Super Size Me; the city's film connections continued with the 2006 film Bubble, which was filmed in the area and starred local residents. The area also has a long history with oil drilling, and is the home of the first documented commercial use of oil in the US.
Top landmarks
•Blennerhassett Hotel — hotel in Parkersburg, United States of America
•St. Francis Xavier Church — church building in West Virginia, United States of America
•Julia-Ann Square Historic District — historic district in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States
Harpers Ferry is a historic town of 285 people (2020) in the northern corner of the Shenandoah Valley just inside West Virginia. It is a natural transportation hub: the Shenandoah River empties into the Potomac there. Three states meet there. East from Harpers Ferry, over the Shenandoah, is Virginia. North, across the Potomac, is Maryland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 274.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.3 miles on I 68. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Bolivar, 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 13 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 0.1 miles (6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Green Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 251.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 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 Bolivar, WV before the return drive.
