We’re planning on making yet another Chicago-to-Washington DC drive for Thanksgiving and I had the idea that, rather than our usual route on I-80, we’d take the couple extra hours and go through West Virgina giving us all the chance to see something new and the kids a look at the mountains. The basic plan is to get into Ohio, spend the night, then go south-east and pick up somewhere in W. Virgina to cut east into Virgina.
Any suggestions on the best route to take? I’ll say now that this will be weather dependent and if it looks like it’ll be snowy or otherwise an issue, we’ll stick with the tried and true.
You don’t drive “across” West Virginia so much as drive up and down it - it’s not called “The Mountain State” for nothing, not a lot of flat real estate there.
Basically echoing what has already been said, but:
A lot of very pretty parts, and well worth seeing. Having said that:
I haven’t looked at routes, but if you are thinking “a couple of extra hours” because it adds 140 miles to your trip, or something like that, you will want to be aware that you will not be going nearly as fast (depending on the highway) on some of the roads, so it could add considerably more to that
If you have people who get carsick, WV is a trigger state. Lots of hills and lots of curves. Again, it depends on the highway and area, but I have traveled highways where you go more than an hour with no straightaways longer than a couple of hundred yards.
Sticking to the interstates and adding 140 miles to the overall trip will indeed only add a couple of hours, the speed limits are 70 in WV. But, without checking Google maps, I have to think that any detour will add more than 140 miles, the lone exception being dropping down into Morgantown and driving east into western Maryland. A short detour but not much WV to see.
On non-interstates, you are indeed fortunate if you can average 40 miles per hour.
I’ve been on practically every stretch of highway in the state, big and small. And I think I’ve just about had my fill of it.
Neat. Looks as though we’ll drive down to Dayton, OH on the first night then cut across the route including the bridge on the second day. Thanks for the tip – guess I should pay more attention to my state quarters.
Well, it’ll be a rental car so hopefully they’ll have good brakes.
I was basing the time estimates off routes via Google. I assume they base it off the speed limit for whatever stretch of road so it’s more accurate than me just dividing miles by 65 or 70 but your point is noted. Especially since I’ll be inclined to take it more slow and easy on the mountains.
Speaking of, how’s the driving ‘culture’ out there? Out here, no one wants your excuses for not going 70mph in a 65 but then it’s all flat out here. Am I going to have someone throwing rocks at me (metaphorically, I’d hope) if I’m going the speed limit or even a little under? I was reading recommendations on some travel site about taking it slow and the concept of that flying with the people behind you is alien to me.
I’m from WV, I live in North Central, which itself isn’t as scenic as the southern part of the state.
It is a very windy and hilly/mountainous drive. The routes that you could take can really make a difference on adding 1 hour or 3 hours to your trip. It is a beautiful state, This site: https://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=11624 seems to offer up some good suggestions. I would avoid Route 50, I-79, both are long and boring and don’t offer much in terms of scenery and there are plenty of other ways to go where you need to. Hope that helps a little.
It looks as though we’d take I-64 into the state halfway, until we take 19 up to the bridge. Go over and then take 60 to I-64 through whatever forests/mountains are on the WV/VA border and up on I-81 towards Fairfax (final destination).
I’m not TOO worried about extra time since, once we get there, it’s four days of sitting around and visiting her family. This side jaunt is pretty much the nod to me to do a little something I’m excited for and then roll with the rest of the trip
Edit: I should probably make sure I’m going over the right bridge, huh?
Lane discipline is pretty good through the mountains; usually a 3rd lane opens up in the uphill sections for trucks, so just make sure you’re checking your speed and your mirrors and moving over accordingly.
I make this drive a lot and my usual “I just want to get there” route is to take 70E to Pittsburgh, 79S to Morgantown, and the 68E towards I-70. I’ve found this to be the fastest route with the least chance of obstructions and the least nauseating for passengers.
If you want to get off the highways a bit, US 40, aka National Road, is a fun route. You can pick it up pretty much wherever you want coming from Dayton, and take it as long as you feel like. The important bit is between Washington, PA and Cumberland, MD. The road has a long history dating back to the colonial army in the French and Indian War, so there’s lots of interesting stuff to see along the way.
If you really want the full WV experience, though, head southeast from Columbus on US33 through Athens, OH towards Parkersburg, WV. Then you go through Charleston and cut through the mountains after Beckley. Beautiful, beautiful part of the country. But that’s going to add several hours to your trip. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can head through Blacksburgas well
Going over the bridge is pretty dull, actually; the bridge is best enjoyed from underneath. Set a waypoint for the visitors center and get out, enjoy the gorge, and take pictures
This one looks closest to the route I described, allowing for the northward jaunt to see the bridge.
Good to know, thanks! Amusingly, when I type “New River Gorge Bridge” into Google, it directs me to the visitor’s center anyway. I just assumed the bridge would be obvious from there
Yea, the Gorge is definitely best seen from near the River.
If you want some nice scenery go across I-68. Lots of mountains, big views, etc. Fast to get to the DC Metro area that way.
If you want a real WV experience, come down I-77 to Parkersburg (beep when you drive through!) and take Rt. 50 East. It’s relatively dull for the first hour, but you’ll soon be in some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen. Tons of switchbacks and 2-lane road this way though.
The southern route through the Beckley area would also be a nice trip but I’m not familiar with that route.
If you got the time, and are on this route, look for signs for Hocking Hills around Logan, Ohio. It will be very pretty this time of year and any of the sites in the state park make for a good break. It will take you about 20 minutes off of highway 33 though. Also once you make it past Logan on 33 is when you really get into the pretty country. Athens can be a scenic college town as you go past. WV can be a fun driving experience if the weather is good.
I suggest you pick up 33 at Weston and head east. This will take you past Seneca Rocks. Its a nice drive and not at interstate speeds. riverton-wv.jpg (image)
And if you’re a geek and into electronic components, check out Mendelsons. The ground floor has sort of a decaying discount store vibe, but (unless you’re interested in that stuff) walk to the back, past the obsolete lab equipment and commercial kitchen stuff and take the (manual, with operator) elevator up to the 3rd floor (the only other public floor). Just wander around. Be sure to check out the small side rooms / closets devoted to single item types (tubes, for example).
The only way to experience it is to wander around. The web site only lists a fraction of a fraction of a percent of what they have. If you are looking for an exact, specific part you may be disappointed, even if you saw it there previously. Some things are incredibly inexpensive, others are way overpriced. But you’re there for the experience, right?
If you ask very nicely, the staff at the computer parts counter on the 3rd floor might let you have a peek at one of the other floors. Just a peek, though.
I’ve been through that part of the country a lot, and not much to add–other than mind that I-64 east of Charleston is a toll road so depending on how long you’re on it before diverting to the bridge you may need to pay tolls.
Lifelong West Virginia resident except for 5 years in Florida. This plan looks like your best bet. If you could tell me exactly how long you want your “detour” to take, I can give you some excellent recommendations on food and lodging.
West Virginians are uncommonly friendly only after realizing that a carpetbagger is not trying to do some harm. Shake hands, buy a drink, and then you will be treated like royalty.
ETA: Stop at the Visitor’s Center for the New River Bridge. If you just drive across it you probably will miss the absolutely beautiful view.
Also, with Route 60, take your time. You will have turns where you feel like you are kissing your own ass. The caution against carpetbagging is unusually common south of that road. North of Route 60, we like to think of ourselves as normal people. South of Route 60, you get into the stereotypes of the Hatfields and McCoys and even with a WV drivers license, I get some looks from people (until the handshake and the drink buying mentioned above).
As far as speed limits, if you keep it 80ish, the cops will not bother you. This does not apply to Fayetteville where the New River Bridge is located. The signs say 50. Do 50. The cops will bust your balls for 51, especially when they see your out of state plates.
I think you will have a great time and find friendly people.
