How far is Parkersburg, WV from South Charleston, WV?

The driving distance from Parkersburg, WV to South Charleston, WV is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.5 miles (100.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
81.21 mi
01h 16m
Flight
62.51 mi
100.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Parkersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
62.51 mi
Kilometers
100.6 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.21 mi
Kilometers
130.7 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Charleston
Fri, Apr 17, 3:27 AM EDT
Return by in Parkersburg
Fri, Apr 17, 4:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Parkersburg
2026-04-17T02:10
Arrive South Charleston
Fri, Apr 17, 3:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Parkersburg
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
Ripley
WV

Town in West Virginia

From Parkersburg
40.1 mi
00h 38m
To South Charleston
41.1 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
87°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Parkersburg and South Charleston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Parkersburg and South Charleston.

  1. 1

    Start on Juliana Street

    137 m · 22 sec · Juliana Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    1268 ft · 51 sec · 6th Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Green Street

    111 m · 20 sec · Green Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · 5th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Camden Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Camden Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on West Virginia Route 95

    1.9 mi · 3 min · West Virginia Route 95

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight toward I 77, WV 2: Charleston

    1165 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    71.7 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, US 119 South: Huntington

    906 ft · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2411 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    2.6 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Drive

    1191 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Montrose Drive

    960 ft · 18 sec · Montrose Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto MacCorkle Avenue Southwest

    1.2 km · 1 min · MacCorkle Avenue Southwest

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · MacCorkle Avenue Southwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Parkersburg and South Charleston.

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 77
71.9 mi · 89%
I 64 West
3.27 mi · 4%
West Virginia Route 95
1.93 mi · 2%
Camden Avenue
0.82 mi · 1%
MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
0.74 mi · 1%
5th Street
0.68 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 77

Merge slight left

71.7 mi · 01h 17m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
62.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ripley
00h 38m from Parkersburg
Leave By
3:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Parkersburg and Chance Rain Showers near South Charleston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Parkersburg to South Charleston?

The road trip is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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 40.1 miles from Parkersburg and 41.1 miles from South Charleston.

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

The direct path is about 62.5 miles (100.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 3:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.37 one way or $22.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Parkersburg and Chance Rain Showers near South Charleston.

Stop Ideas Near Ripley

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

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

RAIL

Charleston

52 mi away
350 MacCorkle Avenue - Southeast
RAIL

Huntington

78 mi away
1050 8th Avenue
RAIL

Montgomery

79 mi away
Third Avenue and Washington Street
RAIL

Ashland Transportation Center

89 mi away
99 15th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Parkersburg and South Charleston. Straight-line distance: 62.51 mi (100.6 km).

Parkersburg

#1 Parkersburg

City in and county seat of Wood County, West Virginia

Population29,009
Coordinates39.2667400, -81.5615100
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
South Charleston

#2 South Charleston

City in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States

Population12,036
Coordinates38.3684300, -81.6995700
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: Juliana Street (-81.56142, 39.266643)
End: Maccorkle Avenue Southwest (-81.699482, 38.368315)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.85 L · about $11.37
Round trip
$22.74
5.74 gal · 21.7 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.37 $22.74
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.71 $25.42
Premium $4.78 $13.71 $27.43
Diesel $5.62 $16.14 $32.28

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

There is no time difference between Parkersburg and South Charleston. The current time is 02:10:12.

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.