How far is Madison, WV from Charleston, WV?
The driving distance from Madison, WV to Charleston, WV is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22 miles (35.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in West Virginia, USA
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 Madison and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Charleston.
-
1
Start on State Street
1472 ft · 25 sec · State Street
-
2
Turn straight onto Smoot Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · Smoot Avenue
-
3
Turn left
27.4 mi · 32 min
-
4
Turn slight right
50 m · 6 sec
-
5
Turn straight onto MacCorkle Avenue Southeast
1236 ft · 21 sec · MacCorkle Avenue Southeast
-
6
Turn right onto Thayer Street
106 m · 15 sec · Thayer Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ferry Street
2189 ft · 44 sec · Ferry Street
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8
Turn left onto South Side Bridge
1125 ft · 19 sec · South Side Bridge
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9
Continue on Dickinson Street
969 ft · 24 sec · Dickinson Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dickinson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Charleston.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn left
27.4 mi · 00h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Charleston?
The road trip is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alum Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Madison and 15.4 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22 miles (35.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.32 one way or $8.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Alum Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Park
Kanawha County Magistrate Court
Charleston Sanitary Board
Parks and Recreation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alum Creek.
Charleston
Montgomery
Huntington
Thurmond
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 22.01 mi (35.42 km).
#1 Madison
City in West Virginia, United States
| Population | 2,616 |
| Coordinates | 38.0670500, -81.8192900 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
The capital of West Virginia.
| Population | 45,879 |
| Coordinates | 38.3498200, -81.6326200 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dickinson Street (-81.632578, 38.349779)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.32 | $8.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.83 | $9.66 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.21 | $10.42 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $6.13 | $12.26 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.