Weirton Heights to Petersburg is 177.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 6 minutes via I-79 and WV-42, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within West Virginia, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way south. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is suitable for a straightforward trip.
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
88.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
45.7 mi
50m
WV 42
25.4 mi
40m
Southern Beltway
11.7 mi
12m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
11.6 mi
15m
US 22
11.3 mi
15m
Earl Core Road
10.1 mi
15m
West Main Street
9.3 mi
13m
Gorman Road
8.7 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 45.7 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weirton Heights, WV and Petersburg, WV.
1
Start on WV 105
1.0 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Turn right onto WV 105
0.7 mi·1 min·Colliers Way
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 22
11 mi·15 min·US 22
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, AirportUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
7
Merge onto PA Tpke 576
12 mi·12 min·Southern Beltway
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 South: Washington
9
Merge onto I 79
12 mi·15 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79
0.5 mi·1 min·I 79
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, MorgantownUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 70; I 79
3.0 mi·4 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 79
45 mi·49 min·I 79
Exit 21Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, MorgantownUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 68 East: Cumberland
14
Continue on I 68
4.0 mi·4 min·I 68
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·2 min
Toward WV-7: Sabraton
16
Turn left onto WV 7
10 mi·15 min·Earl Core Road
17
Continue on WV 7
2.1 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Continue on WV 7
0.5 mi·40 sec·North Robert Stone Way
19
Turn left onto WV 7
0.3 mi·27 sec·Kingwood Pike
20
Continue on WV 7
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Continue on WV 7
6.3 mi·9 min·Morgantown Street
22
Turn left onto WV 7
9.3 mi·13 min·West Main Street
23
Continue on WV 7
1.2 mi·1 min·State Avenue
24
Continue on WV 7
0.4 mi·32 sec·East State Avenue
25
Continue on WV 7
0.3 mi·24 sec·State Street
26
Continue on WV 7
3.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
27
Continue on MD 39
5.6 mi·8 min·Hutton Road
28
Continue on MD 39
1.1 mi·2 min·Oak Street
29
Turn straight onto MD 135
1.4 mi·2 min·Maryland Highway
30
Turn right onto MD 560
0.2 mi·23 sec·Paul Street
31
Turn left onto MD 560
0.2 mi·16 sec·East 3rd Avenue
32
Continue on MD 560
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lothian Street
33
Continue on MD 560
8.7 mi·15 min·Gorman Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto US 50
7.4 mi·11 min·George Washington Highway
35
Turn right onto WV 42
25 mi·40 min·WV 42
36
Turn slight left onto WV 28; WV 55
0.8 mi·1 min·WV 28; WV 55
37
Turn left onto US 220; WV 28; WV 55
70 ft·1 sec·Virginia Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
US 220; WV 28; WV 55
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 6 minute drive time, leaving Weirton Heights in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Petersburg with plenty of daylight. The route includes just one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, especially for fuel. With a fuel cost estimated around $28, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 45.7-mile stretch on I-79, as services can be more spread out on the subsequent surface roads.
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 88.8 miles from Weirton Heights, WV, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Petersburg, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Weirton Heights, 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 Weirton Heights, WV
This is one driving day of about 177.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Weirton Heights, 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 79 for about 45.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 41.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
13.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsyl...
5
13.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvani...
8
38.1 mi into trip|~51m in|I 79
Keep slight left at fork onto I 79 toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morgantown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 East, I 79 South: New Stanton, Morg...
8
41.6 mi into trip|~56m in|I 79
Take the exit onto I 79 toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
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 21
Toward I 79 south: Waynesburg, Morgantown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.76 one way
$55.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.35
$60.70
premium
$4.70
$32.85
$65.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.19
$78.38
Estimated Tolls: $0.82
Southern Beltway
(11.7 mi)$0.82
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: 62.1 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
$18.64
$8.52
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.53
$7.10
EV Truck/SUV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
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
Weirton Heights, WV
Morning
in Weirton Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers Likely
NW 12 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Petersburg, WV
Morning
in Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 6m 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 split nearly evenly between highway and surface roads, with 49% of the drive on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 45.7 miles on I-79 before transitioning to WV-42 and other surface roads. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from the interstate to more rural cruising.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.7 mi on I 79.
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 1.7 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 177.5 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Weirton Heights, WV and Petersburg, WV, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Airport, Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania and Morgantown.
Pa Turnpike 576 West: Washington Pennsylvania
13.3 mi in|~19m
Airport
13.3 mi in|~19m
Pa Tpke 576 East: Washington Pennsylvania
13.6 mi in|~20m
Morgantown
38.1 mi in|~51m|via I 79
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 177.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.7 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.82 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 Petersburg, 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Petersburg, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
