Traveling from Princeton to Huntington covers approximately 150.7 miles and takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays entirely within West Virginia, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of your trip. It is easily managed as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $24 for fuel is a safe estimate for the journey. Since you aren't dealing with a multi-day haul, this trip offers a straightforward way to transition between these two areas. Expect a steady pace that gets you to your destination in well under three hours.
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
73.4 miles from Princeton, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Virginia Turnpike
91.3 mi
1h 45m
I 64
47.5 mi
52m
Big Laurel Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Troy Brown Way
1.4 mi
2m
Hal Greer Boulevard
0.8 mi
2m
8th Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Ingleside Road
0.5 mi
<1m
8th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
West Virginia Turnpike
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton, WV and Huntington, WV.
1
Start on US 19
84 ft·3 sec·North Walker Street
2
Turn right onto US 19; WV 20
95 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 19; WV 20
391 ft·6 sec·Scott Street
4
Turn left onto US 19; WV 20
451 ft·11 sec·Alvis Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto WV 20
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Main Street
6
Continue on CR 27
0.5 mi·51 sec·Ingleside Road
7
Continue on CR 27
372 ft·9 sec·Princeton-Ingleside Road
8
Turn sharp left onto US 460
2.9 mi·3 min·Big Laurel Highway
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
10
Merge onto I 77
91 mi·1 hr 45 min·West Virginia Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
48 mi·52 min·I 64
Exit 101Toward I 64 West: HuntingtonUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward WV 10: Downtown Huntington
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward WV 10: Downtown Huntington
14
Turn straight onto WV 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Troy Brown Way
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on WV 10
0.3 mi·35 sec·Hal Greer Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto WV 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Hal Greer Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto 9th Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·9th Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto 15th Street
481 ft·23 sec·15th Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto 8th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·8th Avenue
20
Turn right onto WV 527
0.3 mi·53 sec·8th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, plan your departure for daylight hours to ensure maximum visibility on the winding path. You only need to build in one stop to complete the 150.7-mile trek comfortably, though the lack of highway segments means your average speed will be lower than usual. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $24 cost is a baseline estimate that can fluctuate based on how often you navigate tight turns. Use the flexibility of this short drive to depart whenever it suits your schedule, as there is no pressure to beat heavy highway traffic. Since you are sticking to local streets like Alvis and Scott, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition through the various local areas along the way.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.4 miles from Princeton, WV, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.4 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntington, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Princeton, 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 Princeton, WV
This is one driving day of about 146.9 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Princeton, 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 West Virginia Turnpike for about 91.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 146.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|WV 20 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto WV 20 / East Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
4.3 mi into trip|~6m in|I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike
Merge onto I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Huntington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 101
Toward I 64 West: Huntington
6
145.2 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto WV 10 / Hal Greer Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|WV 527 / 8th Street
Turn right onto WV 527 / 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.97 one way
$45.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.12
$50.24
premium
$4.70
$27.19
$54.38
diesel
$5.61
$32.43
$64.87
Estimated Tolls: $6.39
West Virginia Turnpike
(91.3 mi)$6.39
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
$23
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.1
0
$15.42
$7.05
Efficient EV
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.88
EV Truck/SUV
58.8
0
$20.57
$9.40
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Princeton, WV
Night
in Princeton on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Huntington, WV
Night
in Huntington on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Charleston, WV
73 mi in
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
12 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
2h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, favoring backroads over high-speed travel. You will navigate via West Main Street, Scott Street, and Alvis Street, with 0% of the route taking place on highways. Because of this, you won't find long, monotonous stretches of interstate; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on West Main Street. Be prepared for a more technical driving experience that requires your full attention on local road conditions. The lack of highway miles ensures you stay off the major thoroughfares, creating a very different feel compared to a standard interstate commute.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.3 mi on West Virginia Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Virginia Turnpike and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near WV 20 / East Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 146.9 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 0.2 miles (WV 20 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.3 miles (I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 146.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 miles on West Virginia Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.39 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.
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 Huntington, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 0.2 miles (WV 20 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.3 miles (I 77 / West Virginia Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Huntington, WV before heading back.
