WV Turnpike

[Coolharts]

We are heading from NC to Yellowstone next month. I have pulled Fancy Gap on I-77 several times, no big deal but I am wondering how RV friendly the WV Turnpike is from the VA line to the KY line.

[pgandw]

I've driven the WV turnpike 3 times in the past year towing our A-frame, and once I drove around via I-75 to Knoxville and I-81 into Virginia. All were trips to/from Indianapolis area from Suffolk, VA. Unless it was miserable winter weather, I would take the WV turnpike - the alternate adds a couple of hours, and traffic on I-81/I-40 is much heavier than traffic on WV Turnpike.

The curves and grades aren't all that bad, certainly no worse than Black Mountain on I-40 near Asheville. But the curves are enough to keep you at the speed limit or less. Tolls on the WV Turnpike are expensive.

hope this helps
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade

[Chuck_S]

What are your concerns?

The West Virginia Turnpike is just another US interstate highway (I77) and meets those standards. Steepest grade on it is reported to be 5% about the same as the extremely long grade 4.5% around Fancy Gap, Virginia. West Virginia Turnpike really was a two-lane road but that was decades ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inters..._West_Virginia

-- Chuck

PS: Neither I77 nor the WVA Turnpike go to Kentucky.

[5er_tom]

No problem. Go for it. I have done that route many times with fifth wheels and a class c. Biggest tug is up to Fancy Gap. After that nothing to really be concerned about. In fact we will do that route twice this year. Once on the way to Holland, MI for the Tulip Festival in May, and again in early June on the way to Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

[Coolharts]

Y'all have convinced me. Tolls, well I spent $90+ in FL one time so WV will be cheap plus since it shorter, it will save in fuel.

I have driven through WV many times, but that was years ago, once from Pittsburgh to central NC in a blizzard in the early 90's and I know there are some hills, just have never driven the WV turnpike West of Beckley.

[wvcampers]

You should have no problems on the WV Turnpike. There are 3 toll Booths and they accept EZPass. The lane on the far right at the toll booths is always open for wide loads, but not restricted from other vehicles using it. The other lanes are a little tight if you have a wide body camper. It is an Interstate, but there are some areas with restricted speed in the curvy areas. The Turnpike actually ends at Charleston. Usually 2 hours travel time from beginning to end. From there the road is not steep or curvy.

[Coolharts]

WV Turnpike was no problem, some pretty good pulls but otherwise a good road. Tolls are expensive but worth it. In Charleston off of the turnpike the roads are rough and under construction to the KY border.

Note: It is hard to find an easily accessible with camper fuel station West of Charleston, we ended up at a Flying J in KY.

[5er_tom]

With our Class C towing a car each of the three tolls was $8.75.