The Most Scenic Drives in West Virginia

From Route 66 all the way to The Loneliest Road that starts in Maryland, the United States is filled with fantastic road trips that have long been alluring travellers out onto the open road. With so many different routes to take, it’s near impossible to decide on just one road trip to take. These West Virginia road trips are a great starting point for an adventure with friends.

This remote Appalachian has gorgeous mountains, breathtaking landscapes and quiet country roads that are perfect for road trips of any length…

The Best West Virginia Road Trips

Highland Scenic Highway

The Highland Scenic Highway is a beautiful corridor through Monongahela National Forest. The road rises from an elevation of 2,300 feet to more than 4,500 feet. With no less than four scenic overlooks, you’ll find plenty of spectacular places to stop and enjoy the view of the Allegheny Mountains.

Distance: 43 miles

Route highlights: Falls of Hills Creek; Allegheny Mountains.

When to do it: Year-round, but May – October is best.

Route 32 through Canaan Valley

Route 32 is a 20-mile drive from Harman to Thomas. You’ll be mountain driving on twisty roads that rise up right through the beautiful Canaan Valley State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll be surrounded by park and forest with wildlife, waterfalls and the hip small towns of Thomas and Davis.

Distance: 20 miles.

Route highlights: Canaan Valley State Park; Blackwater Falls State Park; Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

When to do it: Year-round, but May – October is best.

Midland Trail

A trip across West Virginia’s 180-mile Midland Trail will uncover history, mystery, charming towns and beautiful scenery. The Trail is full of great places to stop and enjoy the scenery, pioneer history, outdoor adventure, local arts and crafts as well as great West Virginia food. Plus, it’s lined with flowing waterfalls!

Distance: 180 miles.

Route highlights: Charleston; Hawks Nest State Park; White Sulphur Springs.

When to do it: Year-round.

National Coal Heritage Trail

The Coal Heritage Trail is a driving trail that winds through more than (13 counties) 187 rugged miles of scenic industrial heritage, where thousands of hard-working miners labored to produce the coal which created modern America. The trail takes about 4.5 hours to drive and can be broken down into a two day travel experience with plenty of stop-offs.

Distance: 187 miles.

Route highlights: Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine; Historic Hinton; Blair Mountain.

When to do it: Year-round.

Washington Heritage Trail

Follow the footsteps of George Washington through West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle – Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson. Experience a rich timeline of American history that includes a colonial spa town, sites of early industries, railroad landmarks and Civil War locations.

Distance: 136 miles.

Route highlights: Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park; 21 National Register Historic Districts.

When to do it: Year-round, but April – October is best.

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike

The Staunton – Parkersburg Turnpike National Scenic Byway is an historic highway from Staunton, Virginia across West Virginia to the Ohio River. Enjoy outdoor recreation, historic sites, unique shopping, arts and entertainment, railroading, and more. One of the earliest campaigns of the Civil War was fought for control of this turnpike, and the access it provided to the B&O Railroad.

Distance: 180 miles.

Route highlights: Civil War sites as the Rich Mountain Battlefield, Beverly Historic District, Cheat Summit Fort, Camp Bartow, and Camp Allegheny.

When to do it: Year-round.

Historic National Road

The National Road (also known as the Cumberland Road) was the first major improved highway in the U.S. built by the federal government between 1811 and 1837. The 620-mile road connected the Potomac and Ohio Rivers and was a main transport path West for thousands of settlers. Now, the road passes through quiet Rust Belt towns on the way to Wheeling.

Distance: 15.7 miles

Route highlights: Wheeling’s “Old Town”; Elm Grove Stone Arch Bridge.

When to do it: Year-round.