How far is Charleston, WV from Welch, WV?
The driving distance from Charleston, WV to Welch, WV is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.4 miles (102 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune or successful social status
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Welch.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Welch.
-
1
Start on Dickinson Street
11 m · 4 sec · Dickinson Street
-
2
Turn right onto Lee Street East
1333 ft · 32 sec · Lee Street East
-
3
Turn left onto Brooks Street
981 ft · 19 sec · Brooks Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 64, I 77, I 79
1117 ft · 27 sec
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East, I 77 South: Beckley
1069 ft · 26 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
57.7 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
1971 ft · 48 sec
-
8
Continue on Coalfields Expressway
849 ft · 10 sec · Coalfields Expressway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
10
Take the exit straight
788 ft · 22 sec
-
11
Keep slight right
1733 ft · 48 sec
-
12
Keep slight left
123 m · 13 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Lester Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Lester Highway
-
14
Continue on Central Street
9.9 mi · 11 min · Central Street
-
15
Turn right
5.4 mi · 6 min
-
16
At the end of the road, turn right
7 mi · 8 min
-
17
Turn left onto River Drive Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · River Drive Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto Pinnacle Avenue
17.2 mi · 26 min · Pinnacle Avenue
-
19
At the end of the road, turn left onto McDowell Street
3159 ft · 53 sec · McDowell Street
-
20
Turn left onto Elkhorn Street
103 m · 8 sec · Elkhorn Street
-
21
Turn left onto Wyoming Street
584 ft · 10 sec · Wyoming Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wyoming Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Welch.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Merge slight left
57.7 mi · 01h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Charleston and Clear near Welch.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Welch?
The road trip is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Prosperity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.8 miles from Charleston and 53.8 miles from Welch.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.4 miles (102 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 2:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.05 one way or $30.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Clear near Welch.
Stop Ideas Near Prosperity
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 Prosperity.
Prince
Thurmond
Hinton
Montgomery
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Welch. Straight-line distance: 63.41 mi (102.05 km).
#1 Charleston
The capital of West Virginia.
| Population | 45,879 |
| Coordinates | 38.3498200, -81.6326200 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Welch
City in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 1,575 |
| Coordinates | 37.4328900, -81.5845500 |
| Altitude | 402 |
| Country | United States |
End: Welch (-81.58455, 37.43289)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.83 | $33.66 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $18.16 | $36.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.