West Virginia Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

If you love road trips, you’re in the perfect state. West Virginia has plenty to see and do all within a few hundred miles. Here are some of the best West Virginia road trips to keep you busy all year long. What are you waiting for? Gas up the tank and check out our list of West Virginia road trip ideas! You’re about to have an epic adventure.

1-Day Road Trip In West Virginia

Reynold Mainse / Design Pics Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Glen Ferris > Gauley Bridge > Ansted > Lansing > Victor > Beaver
• Distance: 64 miles
• Trip Time: 1.5 hours driving time

This short but sweet day trip is an enjoyable way to spend a little bit of time exploring West Virginia. Let's start out at the small but mighty Kanawha Falls. You can see it from a roadside parking lot near Glen Ferris. Now that we've warmed up our waterfall-hunting prowess, we'll head to the glorious Cathedral Falls which drops 60 feet into a clear pool of water. Hawks Nest State Park is next on our West Virginia road trip itinerary with gorgeous views of the New River. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center looks out at the New River Gorge from an indoor viewing area that is both relaxing and inspiring. We'll pass over the gorge once again as we travel over the impressive 3,030-foot New River Gorge Bridge just north of Fayetteville. Then we'll make a stop at the Grandview Overlook to admire the New River Gorge National Park from 1,400 feet above the river.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In West Virginia

Garrett Coakley/Flickr

• Route: Shepherdstown > Harpers Ferry > Moundsville > Parkersburg > Point Pleasant > Huntington > Rock > Flatwoods > Weston
• Distance: 757 miles
• Trip Time: 13.5 hours driving time

West Virginia is filled with history. From indigenous burial grounds to Civil War battles, the Mountain State has plenty of stories to tell - many of them quite spooky. Let's set out on the ultimate haunted road trip to discover what wonderful West Virginia has to show us. From the haunted historic Entler Hotel to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park where Civil War ghosts run free. If that isn't spooky enough, how about the former West Virginia State Penitentiary? The Riverview Cemetery in the historic town of Parkersburg is hiding a few ghosts as well. Oh, and have you heard the story of the Mothman? Point Pleasant will chill the back of your neck with a few tales. Then off to not one, but two abandoned amusement parks. We'll round out our creepy three-day tour with the Flatwoods Monster and a haunted asylum. Yikes!

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West Virginia Castle Road Trip

Jeanne Mozier, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• Route: New Vrindaban > Wheeling > Morgantown > Berkeley Springs
• Distance: 221 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

You might not imagine there were many castles built in West Virginia, but this fun road trip will treat you to a few regal structures fit for kings and queens. Well, some of them. Our first stop is a castle that never was. The Mount Wood Overlook Castle was only partially built before its owner went to the clink on drug charges - oops. The next few castles and palaces certainly deserve the name. We'll stop at and ogle the Palace of Gold in Moundsville, head over to the Good Counsel Friary (a monastery turned private residence), and then finish up at the Berkley Castle.

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West Virginia Lavender Field Road Trip

Steven Penton/Flickr

• Route: Foster > Ashford > Fairmont > Sugar Grove
• Distance: 300 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours driving time

If you are looking for the sweetest-smelling road trip in WV, follow this West Virginia road trip map to visit several lavender fields in the state. We'll start out at the Appalachian Botanical Company which transformed an old coal mine into a beautiful paradise of lavender. Another coal mine turned flower garden is Lens Creek Lavender. Then we can roll on over to Stone House Lavender and its historic stone house surrounded by fields of purple. The last stop on our trip is Blackthorn Lavender Farm along the lovely Blackthorn Creek in Sugar Grove. Be sure to time your trip during the prime blooming season from July to August.

Best West Virginia Road Trip For Spring

ForestWander, CC BY-SA 3.0 US creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons

• Route: Davis > Blackwater Canyon Trail > Fairmont > Gauley Bridge > Kanawha Falls > Danese > Sandstone > Davis
• Distance: 479 miles
• Trip Time: 12 hours driving time

Spring in West Virginia is the perfect time to take a waterfall road trip because the falls are fierce from the winter melt. And boy do we have some beautiful waterfalls to explore. From Blackwater Falls in the Allegheny Mountains to the Douglas Falls on the North Fork Blackwater River. Valley Falls State Park isn't about to be outshone either as the hike to the falls is both beautiful and historic. Then we have Cathedral Falls and Kanawha Falls both impressive in their own unique ways. The New River Gorge National River isn't playing around either with the Sandstone Falls splashing into a large basin of water. Our road trip wanders down the river with impressive cascades at the Pipestem Resort State Park and a short hike to round out the trip to Whitaker Falls in Monterville.

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Best Summer Road Trip In West Virginia

Bones & Cones/Facebook

• Route: Lewisburg > Maxwelton > Frankford > Hillsboro
• Distance: 34 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hour driving time

Let's just say you've spent the morning mountain biking along the Greenbrier River Trail or maybe even kayaking on the Greenbrier River, and now you need a treat for all of that hard work. Swing on over to Lewisburg to start this tasty sweet tooth road trip that is almost heaven after a vigorous morning of whitewater rafting or the fore mentioned activities. We've got three hidden gem bakeries and two ice cream shops to sample some delectable delights. Really, no prior exercise is required, just a love for baked goods and ice cream cones. One of them even has tasty treats for dogs too!

Best West Virginia Road Trip For Fall

Nicolas Raymond/Flickr

• Route: Bruceton Mills > Davis > Dunmore > Plum Orchard Lake > Victor > Babcock State Park > Highland Scenic Highway > Elkins
• Distance: 481 miles
• Trip Time: 10.5 hours driving time

Stunning scenic overlooks at the Coopers Rock State Forest start us out on this fall foliage tour. You'll enjoy the beautiful Blackwater Falls set against reds and gold shining bright in the golden sun. The Dolly Sods area is filled with colorful trees and bushes so the entire landscape seems to be on fire with color. Seneca State Forest is another stop with hiking trails to explore before we hit Plum Orchard Lake with some of the best fall colors in West Virginia reflecting in its calm waters. The New River Gorge Bridge (located in West Virginia's newest national park) is a stunning way to see the colors from up high, and Babcock State Park is another wonderful place to explore. The Glade Creek Grist Mill looks like a picture-perfect painting. And the Highland Scenic Highway is a lovely scenic drive that will take your breath away. If you are feeling adventurous you can even take a fall colors train ride at Elkins Depot.

Best Winter Road Trip In West Virginia

Taber Andrew Bain/Flickr

• Route: White Sulphur Springs > Bramwell > Bluefield > Logan > St Albans > Fayetteville > Ansted > Fairmont > Wheeling
• Distance: 531 miles
• Trip Time: 11 hours driving time

This is the ultimate holiday lights road trip through West Virginia. Tour charming small towns all lit up for the holidays each year. From the Greenbrier Mansion to the famous Lacy's Lights and Maples Display at Fayette County Park. You'll tour private homes filled with light and holiday lights festivals that will fill you with wonder, like the Celebration of Lights at Morris Park in Fairmont. Be sure to bookmark this epic holiday lights road trip itinerary to visit each year.

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Family Friendly West Virginia Road Trip

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook

• Route: Weston > Sutton > Spencer > Parkersburg > Waverly > St Marys > Williamstown
• Distance: 194 miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

We have a fun-filled family road trip for you that starts out somewhere you'd think is the last place in the world you'd want to take your kids - a glass museum! If you just had the image of your children running rampant like a bull in a China shop breaking precious antique glass pieces by the dozens you aren't alone. Don't worry, everything is protected behind glass cases. This is an interesting free activity that is surprisingly fun for all family members. Of course, if that isn't their thing, how about a Bigfoot museum? Or, taking in a movie at Robey Theatre, the oldest movie theater in West Virginia. The next stop is sure to be a big hit - a donut castle! JR's Donut Castle in Parkersburg is the perfect way to refuel before heading to Mountwood Park for a walk in the park, enjoying the playground, or doing some camping. Once you work up a proper appetite, head to The Boxcar, a train-themed restaurant. Rounding out the trip at the Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge is a great way to enjoy a family hike and learn all about the many islands in West Virginia.

Road Trip to West Virginia Landmarks & Natural Wonders

Squashpup, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

• Route: Bear Rocks > Dolly Sods Wilderness > Seneca Rocks > Spruce Knob > Cranberry Glades Botanical Area > Highland Scenic Hwy > Bickle Knob Observation Tower > Blackwater Falls
• Distance: 267 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

If you really love an outdoor adventure, this road trip through West Virginia will delight you with natural wonders. Let's start out by hiking around the interesting rock formations at Bear Rocks Preserve. From there we enjoy some amazing scenic overlooks of the Dolly Sods Wilderness (especially colorful in the fall). Seneca Rocks is another amazing peak in West Virginia for rock climbing and photographing. This isn't to say our next stop, Spruce Knob, is any less spectacular. Be sure to hit up the observation tower which gives you amazing views of the Monongahela National Forest. Our trip continues on to Cranberry Glades, a beautiful bog filled with cranberries, moss, and flowering plants. Coast along one of the most scenic byways in West Virginia to get to another observation tower on Bickle Knob, and then round out the trip at the stunning Blackwater Falls.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in West Virginia

The Hütte Restaurant/Facebook

• Route: Thomas > Sutton > Helvetia > Green Bank > Davis
• Distance: 287 miles
• Trip Time: 6 hours driving time

When it comes to small town road trips in West Virginia, this one takes the cake. Meander through quiet country roads, stop at cute coffee shops, enjoy great food, and even live music. See a little Swiss village, a town that celebrates a visit from a space monster, a very special telescope, and the enchanting Blackwater Falls State Park. Really, if you love charming small towns this is one of the best West Virginia road trips.

When you picture a road trip through West Virginia do you see rugged Appalachian Mountain views, boardwalk hikes to waterfalls, or even peaceful views of Summersville Lake as the Gauley River spirals off into the distance? Then again, anything can make a fun road trip – haunted castles, ice cream shops, and fall colors. We hope you’ve discovered a few West Virginia road trip ideas to capture tour attention and inspire your imagination. All you have to do now is load up the car, set the GPS, and hit the road.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.