How far is Parkersburg, WV from Welch, WV?
The driving distance from Parkersburg, WV to Welch, WV is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.7 miles (203.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 39m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States
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 Parkersburg and Welch.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parkersburg and Welch.
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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
130.7 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
1971 ft · 48 sec
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10
Continue on Coalfields Expressway
849 ft · 10 sec · Coalfields Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on WV 16, WV 97: Mabscott
3.3 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit straight
788 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight right
1733 ft · 48 sec
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14
Keep slight left
123 m · 13 sec
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15
Turn right onto Lester Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Lester Highway
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16
Continue on Central Street
9.9 mi · 11 min · Central Street
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17
Turn right
5.4 mi · 6 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right
7 mi · 8 min
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19
Turn left onto River Drive Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · River Drive Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Pinnacle Avenue
17.2 mi · 26 min · Pinnacle Avenue
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto McDowell Street
3159 ft · 53 sec · McDowell Street
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22
Turn left onto Elkhorn Street
103 m · 8 sec · Elkhorn Street
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23
Turn left onto Wyoming Street
584 ft · 10 sec · Wyoming Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wyoming Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Parkersburg and Welch.
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
131 mi · 02h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Parkersburg and Clear near Welch.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Parkersburg to Welch?
The road trip is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km) and usually takes 03h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chesapeake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.9 miles from Parkersburg and 91.9 miles from Welch.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.7 miles (203.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.71 one way or $51.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Parkersburg and Clear near Welch.
Stop Ideas Near Chesapeake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Parks and Recreation
Kanawha County Magistrate Court
Kanawha City Community Center
Belle City Offices
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chesapeake.
Charleston
Montgomery
Thurmond
Prince
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Parkersburg and Welch. Straight-line distance: 126.71 mi (203.92 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 Welch
City in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 1,575 |
| Coordinates | 37.4328900, -81.5845500 |
| Altitude | 402 |
| Country | United States |
End: Welch (-81.58455, 37.43289)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.71 | $51.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.74 | $57.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.01 | $62.02 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.50 | $73.00 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.