How far is Petersburg, WV from Charleston, WV?
The driving distance from Petersburg, WV to Charleston, WV is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 23m.
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.
City 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 Petersburg and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg and Charleston.
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1
Start on Virginia Avenue
21 m · 4 sec · Virginia Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1805 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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3
Continue on Keyser Avenue
21.7 mi · 32 min · Keyser Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Allegheny Drive
8.4 mi · 12 min · Allegheny Drive
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5
Continue on Hardy & Randolph Turnpike
26.2 mi · 35 min · Hardy & Randolph Turnpike
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6
Turn right onto Randolph Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Randolph Avenue
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7
Continue on North Randolph Avenue
1.2 mi · 1 min · North Randolph Avenue
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8
Continue on Beverly & Morgantown Turnpike
1 km · 51 sec · Beverly & Morgantown Turnpike
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9
Take the exit left
1729 ft · 47 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Corridor H
34.8 mi · 41 min · Corridor H
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 79 South: Charleston
1845 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
98.2 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
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13
Merge slight right
2.3 mi · 3 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street
958 ft · 23 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Leon Sullivan Way
992 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn right onto Washington Street East
657 ft · 18 sec · Washington Street East
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17
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
126 m · 9 sec · Dickinson Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dickinson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersburg 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.
Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
98.2 mi · 01h 45m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Petersburg 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 Petersburg to Charleston?
The road trip is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Weston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.1 miles from Petersburg and 98.3 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.9 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 10:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.45 one way or $54.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Petersburg and Chance Rain Showers near Charleston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Petersburg and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 142.42 mi (229.21 km).
#1 Petersburg
City in West Virginia
| Population | 2,683 |
| Coordinates | 38.9926100, -79.1239200 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| 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: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.45 | $54.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.69 | $61.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $38.97 | $77.95 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.