How far is Welch, WV from Fairmont, WV?
The driving distance from Welch, WV to Fairmont, WV is about 201 miles (323.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m 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 36m.
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 Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Welch and Fairmont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Welch and Fairmont.
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1
Start on Wyoming Street
722 ft · 12 sec · Wyoming Street
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2
Turn straight onto McDowell Street
1910 ft · 34 sec · McDowell Street
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3
Turn right onto Stewart Street
17.2 mi · 26 min · Stewart Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto River Drive Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · River Drive Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Main Avenue
1668 ft · 22 sec · Main Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Twin Falls Road
6.7 mi · 8 min · Twin Falls Road
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7
Turn left
5.4 mi · 6 min
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8
Continue straight
13.5 mi · 16 min
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9
Take the exit left
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right
2721 ft · 58 sec
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11
Keep slight right
1665 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto West Virginia Turnpike
4.8 mi · 5 min · West Virginia Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 19: North Beckley, Summersville
2.1 mi · 3 min
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14
Continue straight
66.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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15
Take the exit right toward I 79, US 19 North: Clarksburg
1643 ft · 36 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
77.4 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Senator Jennings Randolph Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward WV 273 North: Downtown, Fairmont
2164 ft · 55 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
1.3 km · 2 min · Fairmont Gateway Connector
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
37 m · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
938 ft · 24 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fairmont Gateway Connector
39 m · 3 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Fairmont Gateway Connector
943 ft · 25 sec · Fairmont Gateway Connector
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23
Continue on Jefferson Street
1819 ft · 58 sec · Jefferson Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Welch and Fairmont.
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
77.4 mi · 01h 23m
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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Welch and Mostly Sunny near Fairmont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Welch to Fairmont?
The road trip is about 201 miles (323.4 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Summersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.2 miles from Welch and 99.8 miles from Fairmont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.08 one way or $56.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Welch and Mostly Sunny near Fairmont.
Stop Ideas Near Summersville
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 Summersville.
Thurmond
Montgomery
Prince
Alderson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Welch and Fairmont. Straight-line distance: 161.83 mi (260.44 km).
#1 Welch
City in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 1,575 |
| Coordinates | 37.4328900, -81.5845500 |
| Altitude | 402 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairmont
County seat of Marion County, West Virginia, United States
| Population | 18,370 |
| Coordinates | 39.4850800, -80.1425800 |
| Altitude | 300 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson Street (-80.142785, 39.485002)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.08 | $56.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.40 | $62.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.88 | $67.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.87 | $79.75 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.