How far is Charleston, WV from Summersville, WV?

The driving distance from Charleston, WV to Summersville, WV is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
87.78 mi
01h 40m
Flight
42.55 mi
68.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charleston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.55 mi
Kilometers
68.48 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.78 mi
Kilometers
141.27 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 01h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Summersville
Thu, Apr 16, 3:01 AM EDT
Return by in Charleston
Thu, Apr 16, 4:42 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charleston
2026-04-16T01:21
Arrive Summersville
Thu, Apr 16, 3:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charleston
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Sand Fork
WV

Human settlement in Gilmer County, West Virginia, United States of America

From Charleston
43.9 mi
00h 50m
To Summersville
43.9 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Summersville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Summersville.

  1. 1

    Start on Dickinson Street

    1242 ft · 39 sec · Dickinson Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Christopher Street

    81 m · 14 sec · Christopher Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Capitol Street

    95 m · 18 sec · Capitol Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Smith Street

    554 ft · 19 sec · Smith Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    965 ft · 23 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    551 ft · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 77 North: Parkersburg

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

    57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 19 South: Beckley

    1465 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    80 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    26.1 mi · 31 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Webster Road

    1671 ft · 51 sec · West Webster Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Webster Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Webster Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Main Street

    896 ft · 18 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Summersville.

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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
57 mi · 65%
US 19 South
26.4 mi · 30%
I 77 North
1.87 mi · 2%
Webster Road
1.25 mi · 1%
West Webster Road
0.32 mi
Dickinson Street
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Keep slight right to continue on Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

57 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.2 mi
42.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sand Fork
00h 50m from Charleston
Leave By
3:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charleston and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Summersville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Summersville?

The road trip is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km) and usually takes 01h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Sand Fork is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.9 miles from Charleston and 43.9 miles from Summersville.

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

The direct path is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.04 one way or $16.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Charleston and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Summersville.

Stop Ideas Near Sand Fork

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sand Fork, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sand Fork.

RAIL

Montgomery

42 mi away
Third Avenue and Washington Street
RAIL

Charleston

57 mi away
350 MacCorkle Avenue - Southeast
RAIL

Thurmond

57 mi away
Hwy 25 & Hwy 2
RAIL

Prince

68 mi away
Hwy 41 and County Road 25

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Summersville. Straight-line distance: 42.55 mi (68.48 km).

Charleston

#1 Charleston

The capital of West Virginia.

Population45,879
Coordinates38.3498200, -81.6326200
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Summersville

#2 Summersville

Town in Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States

Population3,225
Coordinates38.2812200, -80.8526000
Altitude573
CountryUnited States
Start: Charleston (-81.63262, 38.34982)
End: Summersville (-80.8526, 38.28122)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.03 gal
7.67 L · about $8.04
Round trip
$16.08
4.06 gal · 15.34 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 36.1 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $8.04 $16.08
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.99 $17.98
Premium $4.78 $9.70 $19.40
Diesel $5.62 $11.42 $22.83

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Charleston and Summersville. The current time is 01:21:04.

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.