How far is Thomas, WV from Union, KY?
The driving distance from Thomas, WV to Union, KY is about 347.6 miles (559.4 km), with a travel time of about 07h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 278.4 miles (448 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EST.
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 07h 19m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thomas and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomas and Union.
-
1
Start on Spruce Street
1539 ft · 42 sec · Spruce Street
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2
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 10 min
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3
Turn slight left
5.6 mi · 10 min
-
4
Turn straight onto George Washington Highway
35.3 mi · 52 min · George Washington Highway
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5
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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6
Continue on George Washington Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · George Washington Highway
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7
Turn slight left
93.6 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
1 km · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto SR 7
10.9 mi · 13 min · SR 7
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West, SR 32 West: Athens, Chillicothe
21.3 mi · 26 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
1.2 km · 47 sec · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
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12
Continue on East Bentbrook Drive
7.1 mi · 9 min · East Bentbrook Drive
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13
Continue on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
128.4 mi · 2 hr 35 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 South: Kentucky
2647 ft · 1 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Circle Freeway
10 mi · 11 min · Circle Freeway
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16
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
10 mi · 12 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 71, I 75: Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati
1389 ft · 34 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
1 mi · 2 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 South, I 75 South, KY 236 East: Lexington, Louisville, Erlanger
1973 ft · 48 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
1.1 km · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 42, US 127: Florence, Union
1274 ft · 34 sec
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23
Turn right
3.7 mi · 6 min
-
24
Turn right onto Union School Road
1203 ft · 51 sec · Union School Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Union School Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thomas and Union.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Continue on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
128 mi · 02h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain leaving Thomas and Partly Cloudy near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thomas to Union?
The road trip is about 347.6 miles (559.4 km) and usually takes 07h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Athens is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.1 miles from Thomas and 175.5 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 278.4 miles (448 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.2 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 7:30 AM EST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.69 one way or $101.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain around Thomas and Partly Cloudy near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Athens
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 Athens.
South Portsmouth–South Shore station
Columbus, OH
Ashland Transportation Center
Huntington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thomas and Union. Straight-line distance: 278.4 mi (448.04 km).
#1 Thomas
City in West Virginia, United States
| Population | 545 |
| Coordinates | 39.1490000, -79.4981100 |
| Altitude | 925 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Union
Township in Boone County, Iowa
| Population | 6,116 |
| Coordinates | 38.9459000, -84.6805000 |
| Altitude | 255 |
| Country | United States |
End: Union (-84.6805, 38.9459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 559 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.13 | $50.69 | $101.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.57 | $56.01 | $112.03 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $61.52 | $123.04 |
| Diesel | $6.38 | $78.23 | $156.47 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026