How far is Beckley, WV from Chester, WV?

The driving distance from Beckley, WV to Chester, WV is about 261.4 miles (420.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 198.7 miles (319.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
261.38 mi
05h 15m
Flight
198.71 mi
319.8 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Beckley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
198.71 mi
Kilometers
319.8 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
261.38 mi
Kilometers
420.65 km
Drive Time
05h 15m

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 05h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chester
Sun, May 31, 7:53 AM EDT
Return by in Beckley
Sun, May 31, 1:08 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Beckley
2026-05-31T02:37
Arrive Chester
Sun, May 31, 7:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:16 AM to 1:16 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Beckley
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Stonewood
WV

City in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States of America

From Beckley
130.7 mi
02h 37m
To Chester
130.7 mi
02h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph S
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Beckley and Chester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Beckley and Chester.

  1. 1

    Start on North Kanawha Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Kanawha Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Robert C. Byrd Drive

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on Robert C. Byrd Drive

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Robert C. Byrd Drive

  4. 4

    Take the exit right toward US 19 North: Summersville

    67.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg

    1643 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

    139.3 mi · 2 hr 32 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh

    11.1 mi · 15 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward PA Tpke 576 Toll West: Pittsburgh International Airport

    1308 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on PA Tpke 576 West

    1901 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Southern Beltway

    13 mi · 14 min · Southern Beltway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 22: Pittsburgh, Weirton

    2799 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto PA Tpke 576 East, US 22 West: Washington Pennsylvania, Weirton

    2487 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 18: Florence, Burgettstown

    1449 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    54 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    4.1 mi · 8 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    7.8 mi · 13 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Lincoln Highway

    5 mi · 8 min · Lincoln Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right

    1216 ft · 33 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Old US Highway 30

    120 m · 12 sec · Old US Highway 30

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Carolina Avenue

    1971 ft · 1 min · Carolina Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Beckley and Chester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
139 mi · 53%
US 19 North
67.2 mi · 26%
Southern Beltway
13 mi · 5%
I 79 North
11.1 mi · 4%
PA 18
8.09 mi · 3%
PA Tpke 576 East
6.21 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

139 mi · 02h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+62.7 mi
198.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stonewood
02h 37m from Beckley
Leave By
6:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Beckley and Sunny near Chester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Beckley to Chester?

The road trip is about 261.4 miles (420.7 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?

Stonewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.7 miles from Beckley and 130.7 miles from Chester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 198.7 miles (319.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.7 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 6:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.52 one way or $73.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Beckley and Sunny near Chester.

Stop Ideas Near Stonewood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Stonewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Shinnston City Parks & Rec
Scenic stop 11.1 mi away

Shinnston City Parks & Rec

Shinnston , WV
Shinnston, WV 26431, United States
Rating 3.5/5 10 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 3.8 mi away

Clarksburg Parks & Recreation

Clarksburg , WV
222 W Main St, Clarksburg, WV 26301
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Benedum Civic Center
Nearby stop 4.1 mi away

Benedum Civic Center

Bridgeport , WV
164 W Main St, Bridgeport, WV 26330
Rating 4.0/5 3 reviews Civic center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stonewood.

RAIL

Connellsville station

105 mi away
North Water Street and West Peach Street
BUS

Grantsville, MD

115 mi away
3000 Chestnut Ridge Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Beckley and Chester. Straight-line distance: 198.71 mi (319.8 km).

Beckley

#1 Beckley

City in and county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States

Population15,805
Coordinates37.7781700, -81.1881600
Altitude738
CountryUnited States
Chester

#2 Chester

City in West Virginia, USA

Population2,313
Coordinates40.6131200, -80.5628500
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: Beckley (-81.18816, 37.77817)
End: Chester (-80.56285, 40.61312)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 421 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.22 gal
34.91 L · about $36.52
Round trip
$73.04
18.44 gal · 69.82 L
Estimated CO2
81.9 kg one way
Round trip: 163.9 kg / 361 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $36.52 $73.04
Mid-grade $4.43 $40.84 $81.67
Premium $4.78 $44.05 $88.11
Diesel $5.62 $51.85 $103.71

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Beckley and Chester. The current time is 02:37:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.