Weirton Heights, WV to Ranson, WV is 236.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing West Virginia and touching on Pennsylvania. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You can expect a relatively quick transit with minimal fuss, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
118.2 miles from Weirton Heights, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
105 mi
1h 54m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
44.2 mi
54m
US 22
20 mi
27m
Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
17.2 mi
18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.5 mi
20m
Route 9 Bypass
10 mi
11m
I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
3.3 mi
3m
North Mildred Street
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 105 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~956 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,483
Quietest
1 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Weirton Heights, WV and Ranson, 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
20 mi·27 min·US 22
5
Continue on PA 60; Orange Belt
358 ft·9 sec·Steubenville Pike
6
Take the exit
9.9 mi·14 min
Toward I 376 East: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30
15 mi·20 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 East: MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 85Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·30 sec·this road
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 76 East: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 76; PATP
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
12
Take the exit onto I 70
1.9 mi·3 min·I 70
Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DCUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.3 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward US 30 West, To I 70 East: Breezewood, Baltimore
14
Merge onto I 70; US 30
0.3 mi·42 sec·Lincoln Highway
15
Turn left onto I 70
23 mi·31 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 70 East: Baltimore, Washington DC
16
Continue on I 70; US 522
0.7 mi·46 sec·Dwight David Eisenhower Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·25 sec·Dwight David Eisenhower Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
20
Continue on I 70
16 mi·17 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 26Toward I 81: Roanoke, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 81 South: RoanokeUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 81
17 mi·18 min·Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward WV 45: Charles Town, Shepherdstown
25
Turn sharp left onto WV 45
1.9 mi·3 min·Apple Harvest Drive
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on WV 9
10.0 mi·11 min·Route 9 Bypass
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
28
Turn right onto WV 115
485 ft·13 sec·Currie Road
29
Turn left onto WV 115
2.7 mi·4 min·North Mildred Street
30
Enter roundabout onto WV 115
174 ft·3 sec·Lancaster Circle
31
Arrive at destination
WV 115
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 49-minute drive, consider leaving Weirton Heights in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, filling up before you depart is a good idea, especially since the longest stretch without exits is over 100 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While only one stop is indicated in the data, you might want to plan for a brief rest break around the halfway point, perhaps as you transition off the main turnpike. This route is well-suited for a single-day journey, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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 118.2 miles from Weirton Heights, WV, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 52 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ranson, 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 236.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 105 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 22 and 203.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 376 East: Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 376 East: Pittsburgh
7
32 mi into trip|~45m in|I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 East: Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
8
46.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
152 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC
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 US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington...
8
203.2 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 81: Roanoke, Harrisburg
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 26
Toward I 81: Roanoke, Harrisburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.54 one way
$75.08 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.93
$81.87
premium
$4.78
$44.47
$88.94
diesel
$6.18
$57.48
$114.97
Estimated Tolls: $13.65
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(105 mi)$13.65
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
$38
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.68
$9.45
EV Truck/SUV
94.5
1
$33.08
$15.12
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Weirton Heights, WV
Morning
in Weirton Heights on Monday
Local time
8:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 5:22AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Destination
Ranson, WV
Morning
in Ranson on Monday
Local time
8:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 5:22AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
63°F
Berlin, PA
118 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 49m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$20
near mile 236.3
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 66% of this 236.3-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 105 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your drive. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on high-speed, limited-access roads, which means more consistent speeds and fewer interruptions until you reach the non-highway segments.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 236.3 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 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,113 ft457 ft
Total Climb
1,620 ft
Total Descent
2,301 ft
Highest Point
2,113 ft
~101.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,656 ft
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 Ranson, WV, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington, To I 70 East: Breezewood and Shepherdstown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 236.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.65 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania 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 12 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 Ranson, 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 12 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 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ranson, WV, but most travelers stay overnight.
