West Virginia Travel Forum

Hello, I hope I'm writing to the correct forum (or maybe should try W. Virginia)?

Every other year since I was in university, I travel south to Florida from Ontario for Christmas. Most recently we've been traveling further West, through Ohio /Kentucky. This time we are considering the Easterly route through New York / Penn / through Beckley (thats the tunnel right? or is that Bluefield?) Wytheville, etc. (Hwy 77/74)

Lets say we chose the westerly route and were in Lexington, Kentucky the evening before? Are the highways passable from Lexington, KY to Beckley / Wytheville / Mt. Airy? Can anyone recommend a route? Sould we include a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway? I can see some highways on a map, just am concerned if there are gas stations open at night, or any other dangers? Also a recommendation for a good restaurant serving mmm buckwheat pancakes ;)? or anything else traditional?

Thanks for your advice - we're getting too 'arthritic' to sit in a car drinking Gatorade for 24 hours like we used to ;)

The route through Pennnsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina is definitely more scenic than the route through Ohio and Kentucky. I would recommend I-79 to US-19 to I-77 to I-95. The biggest issue is potential snowfall in the mountains, which could make driving this route more dangerous. There are gas stations on the route. The Blue Ridge Parkway is pretty - the problem is that you would be seeing it in the winter - it is much better in the spring, summer and fall.

Yes, you can go east from Lexington and stay on interstates all the way to the southern Shenanoah valley. But I wouldn't recommend doing that..It's winter so not as scenic and going that way would make for a longer trip. The Shenanoah valley in spring is great. I been there many times since my wife is from there. I grew up in eastern Kentucky so i know the area well.

As far as gas and eats, I dont think you would have problems along any interstate....or thats been my experience. Hope this helps. :)