How far is Parkersburg, WV from Charleston, WV?
The driving distance from Parkersburg, WV to Charleston, WV is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.4 miles (102.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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 01h 13m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Parkersburg and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parkersburg and Charleston.
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1
Start on Juliana Street
137 m · 22 sec · Juliana Street
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1268 ft · 51 sec · 6th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Green Street
111 m · 20 sec · Green Street
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4
Turn left onto 5th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Street
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5
Turn left onto Camden Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Camden Avenue
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6
Continue on West Virginia Route 95
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Virginia Route 95
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 77, WV 2: Charleston
1165 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left
72.5 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street
958 ft · 23 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Leon Sullivan Way
992 ft · 26 sec
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11
Turn right onto Washington Street East
657 ft · 18 sec · Washington Street East
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12
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
126 m · 11 sec · Dickinson Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dickinson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Parkersburg and 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.
I 77
Merge slight left
72.5 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Parkersburg and Chance Rain Showers near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Parkersburg to Charleston?
The road trip is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Ripley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.6 miles from Parkersburg and 39.6 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.4 miles (102.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.93 one way or $21.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Parkersburg and Chance Rain Showers near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Ripley
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 Ripley.
Charleston
Huntington
Montgomery
Ashland Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Parkersburg and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 63.47 mi (102.14 km).
#1 Parkersburg
City in and county seat of Wood County, West Virginia
| Population | 29,009 |
| Coordinates | 39.2667400, -81.5615100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| 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: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.22 | $24.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.19 | $26.37 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.52 | $31.04 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.