How far is Beckley, WV from Cheat Lake, WV?
The driving distance from Beckley, WV to Cheat Lake, WV is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in West Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Beckley and Cheat Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beckley and Cheat Lake.
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1
Start on North Kanawha Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North Kanawha Street
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2
Turn right onto Robert C. Byrd Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive
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3
Continue on Robert C. Byrd Drive
3.3 mi · 6 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive
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4
Take the exit right toward US 19 North: Summersville
67.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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5
Take the exit right toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg
1643 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
90.3 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 68 East: Cumberland
1779 ft · 43 sec
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8
Continue straight
9.8 mi · 10 min
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Beckley and Cheat Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
90.3 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Beckley and Mostly Sunny near Cheat Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Beckley to Cheat Lake?
The road trip is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Burnsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Beckley and 86.6 miles from Cheat Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.24 one way or $48.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Beckley and Mostly Sunny near Cheat Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Burnsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burnsville.
Montgomery
Charleston
Thurmond
Prince
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Beckley and Cheat Lake. Straight-line distance: 149.32 mi (240.31 km).
#1 Beckley
City in and county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 15,805 |
| Coordinates | 37.7781700, -81.1881600 |
| Altitude | 738 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cheat Lake
Census-designated place in Monongalia County, West Virginia
| Population | 7,988 |
| Coordinates | 39.6720200, -79.8533900 |
| Altitude | 304 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cheat Lake (-79.85339, 39.67202)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.11 | $54.21 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.42 | $68.84 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in West Virginia · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.