Mountain Driving in West Virginia

A good place to stop for a rest is Tamarack near Beckly exit. They even allow overnights in a safe well guarded area. It's on the hill overlooking the truck stop and has great big rig parking on the lower level just below the main building with orange roof tops. Great shopping on crafts from West Virginia artisans and great food prepared by the Greenbrier folks.

Have plenty of extra windshield washer fluid in case the road is wet or melting. The trucks can send up lots of nasty spray. Otherwise there are plenty of grades but nothing too bad.

powderman426 wrote:

Jim Shoe wrote:
Here's the link to the West Virginia Turnpike website. 77 is a toll road through West Virginia. The tolls are reasonable, and depend on what you're driving. Its all explained on the link above. Including the fact that they only accept cash - no debit/credit cards. You can also check the site for weather conditions just before you leave home. Its a beautiful drive.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to try it yet I am sure they will take ez pass. I will know for sure shortly as I will be heading to Fla. Near Xmas.

Yes, they take EZ Pass. Says so on the link I provided.

The entire I77 is not toll. It's a toll road only from Charleston to Beckeley.

Jim Shoe wrote:
Here's the link to the West Virginia Turnpike website. 77 is a toll road through West Virginia. The tolls are reasonable, and depend on what you're driving. Its all explained on the link above. Including the fact that they only accept cash - no debit/credit cards. You can also check the site for weather conditions just before you leave home. Its a beautiful drive.

If you don't have an EZ-Pass, I suggest you look into getting one. Not only will it allow you to go right through the toll gates (and in some states just blow by in an express lane), but it can also save you money on tolls. EZ-Pass isn't accepted on the Florida Turnpike, but here's an interactive map showing where you can use it:

Where You Can Use EZ-Pass

Jim Shoe wrote:
Here's the link to the West Virginia Turnpike website. 77 is a toll road through West Virginia. The tolls are reasonable, and depend on what you're driving. Its all explained on the link above. Including the fact that they only accept cash - no debit/credit cards. You can also check the site for weather conditions just before you leave home. Its a beautiful drive.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to try it yet I am sure they will take ez pass. I will know for sure shortly as I will be heading to Fla. Near Xmas.

West Virginia can be memorable (not pleasant), but if you stick to the interstates, it is just like every place else. If you decide to go off the interstates, be ready to drive a poorly marked goat path and share it with trucks. BTDT

Matt

Here's the link to the West Virginia Turnpike website. 77 is a toll road through West Virginia. The tolls are reasonable, and depend on what you're driving. Its all explained on the link above. Including the fact that they only accept cash - no debit/credit cards. You can also check the site for weather conditions just before you leave home. Its a beautiful drive.

I have been doing it for five years without problem. As stated above, just keep an eye on weather reports. Be aware that when you go through a tunnel that the weather may be very different on each side of the mountain.

It really is a nice drive. Just watch the weather forecast and adjust your schedule as needed. We will be doing it at the end of January as we do each year.