How far is Cheat Lake, WV from Wheeling, WV?

Fastest route

Traveling from Cheat Lake, West Virginia 26508, to Wheeling, West Virginia 26003, the best route is via I-79 N and I-70 W, covering a distance of approximately 99.8 miles (160.6 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Directions

  1. Take I-68 W: Merge onto I-68 W toward Morgantown.
  2. Merge onto I-79 N: Use the right two lanes to merge onto I-79 N toward Washington.
  3. Continue on I-70 W: Use the right two lanes to merge onto I-70 W/I-79 N toward Washington.
  4. Take Exit 1B: Take exit 1B for US-250 S toward WV-2 S/Moundsville.
  5. Exit onto 16th Street: Take the 16th Street exit from US-250 S.
  6. Follow 16th St to Chapline St: Turn left onto Chapline St to reach your destination in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan for Gas: Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey, especially for longer distances.
  • 🍴 Pack Snacks: Bring some snacks and water for the road, in case you get hungry during the trip.
  • 🚧 Check for Road Closures: Before starting the journey, check for any road closures or traffic updates to avoid delays.
  • ⛽ Refuel at Key Points: If your vehicle's fuel is running low, consider refueling at major towns or cities along the route.
  • 📱 GPS or Map: Have a GPS device or map handy to navigate through unfamiliar roads efficiently.
  • ☕ Take Breaks: Plan rest stops to stretch your legs and stay refreshed during the journey.
  • 🚙 Check Vehicle Condition: Ensure your vehicle is in good condition, with properly inflated tires and functional brakes, before hitting the road.
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
99.55 mi
01h 34m
Flight
53.38 mi
85.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cheat Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
53.38 mi
Kilometers
85.91 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.55 mi
Kilometers
160.21 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wheeling
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM EDT
Return by in Cheat Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 2:42 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cheat Lake
2026-04-22T23:33
Arrive Wheeling
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cheat Lake
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
Blacksville
WV

Town in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States

From Cheat Lake
49.7 mi
00h 47m
To Wheeling
49.8 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cheat Lake and Wheeling.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cheat Lake and Wheeling.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  2. 2

    Take the exit slight right toward CR-73, CR-12: Coopers, Rock Road

    2132 ft · 58 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left

    569 ft · 22 sec

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1365 ft · 33 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    14 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I-79 N: Washington

    3196 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

    66.3 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on USS West Virginia Memorial Highway

    9.2 mi · 10 min · USS West Virginia Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on USS West Virginia Memorial Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · USS West Virginia Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 250, WV 2: Wheeling, Moundsville

    2323 ft · 57 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    2609 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    140 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1615 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 17th Street

    102 m · 17 sec · 17th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Chapline Street

    98 m · 6 sec · Chapline Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Chapline Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cheat Lake and Wheeling.

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
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
66.3 mi · 67%
CR-73
14.6 mi · 15%
USS West Virginia Memorial Highway
12.2 mi · 12%
US 250
1.33 mi · 1%
I-79 N
0.61 mi · 1%
17th Street
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway

66.3 mi · 01h 15m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.1 mi
53.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blacksville
00h 47m from Cheat Lake
Leave By
3:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Cheat Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wheeling.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cheat Lake to Wheeling?

The road trip is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?

Blacksville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.7 miles from Cheat Lake and 49.8 miles from Wheeling.

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

The direct path is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 3:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.90 one way or $27.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Cheat Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wheeling.

Stop Ideas Near Blacksville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Blacksville, 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 Blacksville.

RAIL

Connellsville station

62 mi away
North Water Street and West Peach Street
RAIL

Union Station

83 mi away
1100 Liberty Avenue
RAIL

Greensburg

86 mi away
Harrison Ave. and Seton Hill Dr.
BUS

Grantsville, MD

95 mi away
3000 Chestnut Ridge Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cheat Lake and Wheeling. Straight-line distance: 53.38 mi (85.91 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Cheat Lake

Census-designated place in Monongalia County, West Virginia

Population7,988
Coordinates39.6720200, -79.8533900
Altitude304
CountryUnited States
Wheeling

#2 Wheeling

City in West Virginia

Population26,283
Coordinates40.0639600, -80.7209100
Altitude203
CountryUnited States
Start: I 68 East (-79.853382, 39.672079)
End: Chapline Street (-80.720798, 40.063971)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.51 gal
13.3 L · about $13.90
Round trip
$27.81
7.02 gal · 26.6 L
Estimated CO2
31.2 kg one way
Round trip: 62.4 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $13.90 $27.81
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.55 $31.09
Premium $4.78 $16.77 $33.54
Diesel $5.62 $19.74 $39.48

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

There is no time difference between Cheat Lake and Wheeling. The current time is 23:33:38.

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.