1–2 Days · ~200 Miles
Waterfall Road Trip
String together Blackwater Falls, Falls of Hills Creek, Sandstone Falls, Cathedral Falls and the many cascades of the Monongahela National Forest.
Trip Ideas
West Virginia Road Trips: Best Scenic Drives & Itineraries
The Mountain State is made for long drives: empty back roads, high passes, river gorges and small towns that time forgot. Here are ten road trips, from a full week to a single afternoon.
Quick Info
- Best For
- Scenic driving, small towns, outdoors
- Longest Route
- 7-day loop, roughly 800+ miles
- Best Season
- Early October for foliage
- Fuel Up
- Fill up before remote stretches
How to Road Trip West Virginia
West Virginia is small enough to cross in a day but mountainous enough that every mile takes longer than you expect. Interstates I-79, I-77, I-64 and I-68 form a rough perimeter, while US and state routes thread the middle through terrain where services can be sparse.
That is the charm. The best drives are rarely the fastest ones; they follow rivers and rail grades, climb to high passes and dead-end at overlooks nobody has heard of. Allow more time than the map suggests, and keep your fuel tank above half.
Below are ten road trips that cover the state's greatest hits and its quiet corners. Mix and match them, or use the seven-day loop as a framework and branch off wherever a sign catches your eye.
7 Days · 800+ Miles
The Ultimate 7-Day WV Road Trip
This grand loop starts in the eastern panhandle, crosses the high Alleghenies, drops into the New River Gorge and finishes in the rugged coal country of the south. It is the single best way to understand the state's range.
- Days 1–2: Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown and the eastern panhandle.
- Days 3–4: Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods and Davis/Thomas.
- Day 5: Green Bank, Cass and Pocahontas County.
- Days 6–7: New River Gorge, Fayetteville and the coal heritage towns.
Book lodging in advance for the gorge and Canaan Valley, and leave room for spontaneous detours — they are the point.
Nine More Scenic Drives
2–3 Days · ~60 Miles
New River Gorge Road Trip
Loop the national park: the bridge, Canyon Rim, Grandview, Sandstone Falls, Hinton and historic Thurmond, with Fayetteville as base camp.
2–3 Days · ~300 Miles
Fall Foliage Road Trip
Time it for early October and weave the Highland Scenic Highway, the New River Gorge rim and Dolly Sods into one color-drenched drive.
3–4 Days · ~350 Miles
Small Town Road Trip
Lewisburg, Marlinton, Davis, Thomas, Fayetteville and Harpers Ferry — slow food, local shops and mountain music along the way.
4–5 Days · ~500 Miles
State Park Road Trip
Hit Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Pipestem, Babcock, Hawks Nest and Watoga in one loop built around West Virginia's best state parks.
2–3 Days · ~250 Miles
Coal Heritage Road Trip
Follow the story of King Coal through Beckley's Exhibition Coal Mine, Bramwell, Thurmond and the old railroad towns of the southern coalfields.
1–2 Days · ~150 Miles
Route 60 & the Midland Trail
The old Midland Trail follows US-60 across the state through Charleston, Gauley Bridge, Hawks Nest and White Sulphur Springs, with famous stops at every turn.
2–3 Days · ~200 Miles
Hatfield-McCoy Country
Base in Williamson or Matewan and explore the ATV trail system and the feud sites of the Tug Fork valley in West Virginia's southwest corner.
1 Day · ~43 Miles
Highland Scenic Highway
A 43-mile byway through the Monongahela National Forest near Marlinton, with four panoramic overlooks and access to Cranberry Glades and Falls of Hills Creek.
Plan Your Route
Use the map below as a starting point, then layer in the drives above. Distances in West Virginia can be deceiving — always add time for mountain roads, scenic stops and the occasional logging truck.
Road Trip Tips for the Mountain State
Cell service disappears in many hollows and on mountain passes, so download offline maps before you leave. Carrying a paper map is not nostalgic here; it is practical.
Wildlife is a real hazard at dawn and dusk, especially deer on secondary roads. Drive slower than the speed limit suggests in remote areas, and use pull-offs when you want to take in a view.
In winter, many forest roads and high passes close or require four-wheel drive. Check the West Virginia Division of Highways road conditions before heading into the mountains, and keep an emergency kit in the car.
Finally, build in slack. The best West Virginia road trips are the ones where you stop for the roadside waterfall, the country store and the overlook you did not plan for.
Related Guides
Destination
New River Gorge
The complete gorge destination guide.
Season
Fall in West Virginia
Foliage, drives and festival season.
Waterfalls
WV Waterfall Guide
Plan a waterfall-chasing drive.
ATV
Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Hundreds of miles of off-road adventure.
Parks
WV State Parks
Build a park-to-park itinerary.
Tool
Explore WV Map
Plot your stops before you go.
West Virginia Road Trip FAQ
How many days do you need to road trip West Virginia?
A week lets you see the whole state comfortably. Three or four days is enough for one region, like the New River Gorge or the Potomac Highlands.
What is the best time of year for a WV road trip?
Early October offers the best combination of fall color, festivals and comfortable temperatures. Summer is great for water-based trips, while winter rewards skiers but closes some mountain roads.
Is West Virginia hard to drive?
The interstates are straightforward, but secondary mountain roads are twisty and slow. Plan shorter daily distances than you would elsewhere and avoid driving remote roads after dark.
What should I pack for a West Virginia road trip?
Layers, rain gear, sturdy shoes, a paper map, water, snacks and a basic emergency kit. Weather changes fast, especially in the high country.
About Discover WV Today
Discover WV Today is an independent travel publication devoted to the Mountain State. We drive every route in this guide ourselves and write up the details that make a road trip smoother. Read our story →