How far is Cheat Lake, WV from South Charleston, WV?
The driving distance from Cheat Lake, WV to South Charleston, WV is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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 35m.
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.
Town in West Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cheat Lake and South Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheat Lake and South Charleston.
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1
Start on the route
4.2 mi · 5 min
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2
Take the exit slight right toward CR-73, CR-12: Coopers, Rock Road
2132 ft · 58 sec
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3
Turn left
569 ft · 22 sec
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4
Take the ramp left
1365 ft · 33 sec
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5
Merge slight left
14 mi · 15 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I-79 S: Fairmont
1.3 km · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
147.8 mi · 2 hr 39 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
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8
Merge slight right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington
906 ft · 13 sec
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10
Keep slight left
2411 ft · 34 sec
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11
Merge slight right
2.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Drive
1191 ft · 32 sec
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13
Turn right onto Montrose Drive
960 ft · 18 sec · Montrose Drive
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14
Turn left onto MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
1.2 km · 1 min · MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cheat Lake and South Charleston.
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
148 mi · 02h 39m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cheat Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near South Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cheat Lake to South Charleston?
The road trip is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Burnsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Cheat Lake and 86.9 miles from South Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cheat Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near South Charleston.
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 Cheat Lake and South Charleston. Straight-line distance: 133.91 mi (215.51 km).
#1 Cheat Lake
Census-designated place in Monongalia County, West Virginia
| Population | 7,988 |
| Coordinates | 39.6720200, -79.8533900 |
| Altitude | 304 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Charleston
City in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 12,036 |
| Coordinates | 38.3684300, -81.6995700 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Maccorkle Avenue Southwest (-81.699482, 38.368315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 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 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.