Petersburg, WV to Weirton Heights, WV is 177.8 miles and takes about 4h 5m via Senator Jennings Randolph Highway and WV 7, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Expect a mix of driving experiences, with a significant portion on highways and some time on surface roads. It's a manageable drive for a single day, making it a good option for a quick transit or a scenic excursion if you have the time to explore.
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
88.9 miles from Petersburg, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
48.5 mi
54m
WV 42
25.4 mi
40m
WV 7
22 mi
32m
Southern Beltway
13 mi
13m
US 22
11.2 mi
15m
I 79
11.1 mi
15m
South Main Street
10.4 mi
16m
Gorman Road
8.7 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
— 48.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, WV and Weirton Heights, WV.
1
Start on US 220; WV 28; WV 55
70 ft·3 sec·Virginia Avenue
2
Turn right onto WV 28; WV 55
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Main Street
3
Continue on WV 28; WV 55
0.5 mi·43 sec·Keyser Avenue
4
Turn slight right onto WV 42
25 mi·40 min·WV 42
5
Turn left onto US 50
7.4 mi·11 min·George Washington Highway
6
Turn right onto MD 560
8.7 mi·15 min·Gorman Road
7
Continue on MD 560
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lothian Street
8
Continue on MD 560
0.2 mi·17 sec·East 3rd Avenue
9
Turn right onto MD 560
0.2 mi·24 sec·Paul Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto MD 135
1.4 mi·2 min·Maryland Highway
11
Continue on US 219
1.1 mi·2 min·East Oak Street
12
Continue on MD 39
5.6 mi·8 min·Hutton Road
13
Continue on WV 7
22 mi·32 min·WV 7
14
Turn right onto WV 7
0.5 mi·40 sec·North Robert Stone Way
15
Continue on WV 7
2.1 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Continue on WV 7
10 mi·16 min·South Main Street
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
18
Merge onto I 68
3.8 mi·4 min·I 68
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·39 sec
Toward I-79 N: Washington
20
Merge onto I 79
49 mi·54 min·Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
21
Take the exit onto I 79
11 mi·15 min·I 79
Exit 18Toward I 79 North: PittsburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 49Toward PA Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International AirportUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·46 sec·this road
Exit 49BToward PA Tpke 576 West
24
Continue on PA Tpke 576
13 mi·13 min·Southern Beltway
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward US 22: Pittsburgh, WeirtonUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA Tpke 576 East, US 22 West: Washington Pennsylvania, WeirtonUse the left lane.
27
Merge onto US 22
11 mi·15 min·US 22
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward WV 105: Colliers Way
29
Keep slight right at fork
161 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
30
Turn straight onto WV 105
0.5 mi·1 min·Colliers Way
31
Turn left onto WV 105
1.0 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
32
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 105
45 ft·0 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
WV 105
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 5m estimated drive time, leaving Petersburg, WV in the morning allows ample daylight to reach Weirton Heights, WV. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the 177.8 miles. Consider stopping around the halfway point to refuel, as the estimated $28 fuel cost is based on the total distance. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, as this can sometimes involve changes in speed and traffic patterns. The longest stretch on the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway is nearly 50 miles, so plan your needs before you get to that segment.
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 88.9 miles from Petersburg, WV, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.5 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 39 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 2h 17m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weirton Heights, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, WV
This is one driving day of about 177.8 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Petersburg, 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 48.5 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 139.2 and 176.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
139.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|I 79
Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
7
150.2 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward PA Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49
Toward PA Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh Intern...
8
163.8 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 22: Pittsburgh, Weirton
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 6
Toward US 22: Pittsburgh, Weirton
8
164.3 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Turn left toward PA Tpke 576 East, US 22 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Weirton
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PA Tpke 576 East, US 22 West: Washington...
7
176.3 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.80 one way
$55.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.40
$60.80
premium
$4.70
$32.91
$65.81
diesel
$5.61
$39.26
$78.51
Estimated Tolls: $0.91
Southern Beltway
(13 mi)$0.91
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.67
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.56
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.89
$11.38
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Petersburg, WV
Morning
in Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weirton Heights, WV
Morning
in Weirton Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers Likely
NW 12 mph59% 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
9 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
4h 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 41% highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of time on faster roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 48.5 miles along the Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. After that, you'll be navigating WV 42 and WV 7, which offer a different driving feel with potentially more local traffic and varied speed limits. Be prepared for a mix of environments as you move from more open highway cruising to potentially more built-up areas.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.5 mi on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.2 miles in near I 79.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 177.8 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: at 139.2 miles (I 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Petersburg, WV and Weirton Heights, WV, road signs point toward Pa Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport, Pa Tpke 576 West, Weirton and Pa Tpke 576 East.
Pa Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport
150.2 mi in|~3h 28m
Pa Tpke 576 West
150.5 mi in|~3h 29m
Weirton
163.8 mi in|~3h 43m
Pa Tpke 576 East
164.3 mi in|~3h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 177.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.5 miles on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.91 in tolls one way, starting with Southern Beltway. 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 3 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 Heights, 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 3 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 139.2 miles (I 79): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Weirton Heights, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
