For travelers threading through Appalachia’s rugged spine, Interstate 77 in West Virginia represents far more than a transportation corridor—it’s a breathtaking passage through “Almost Heaven.” Whether you refer to it as I77 or Interstate 77 in West Virginia this stretch covers 187.21 miles from Bluefield to Parkersburg and constitutes the longest portion of I-77 in any state, transforming the driving experience into an unforgettable journey through engineering marvels and natural grandeur.
A Highway Forged by Vision and Grit
The story of I-77 in West Virginia is one of persistence against geographical adversity. Originally absent from the 1956 Interstate Highway System plan, the route owes its existence to Marietta hotelier S. Durward Hoag, who recognized the economic paralysis caused by inadequate mountain roads. Hoag mobilized governors from Ohio and West Virginia, demonstrating how mileage savings from straightened alignments could fund a Cleveland-to-Charlotte corridor. His advocacy succeeded, and on October 18, 1957, I-77 was officially approved.
The highway’s backbone—the West Virginia Turnpike—began as a perilous two-lane toll road when it opened in 1954. Nicknamed “88 miles of miracle” after its grueling construction, which claimed 13 lives, the Turnpike initially terminated at a simple T-junction near Princeton. Not until 1974 did the route connect to Virginia via the monumental East River Mountain Tunnel, and only in 1987 did the entire Turnpike achieve modern four-lane Interstate standards.
Engineering Triumphs: Tunnels and Twists
West Virginia’s mountainous terrain demanded audacious solutions. The East River Mountain Tunnel (5,400 feet) and Big Walker Mountain Tunnel (4,200 feet) in Virginia—both traversed by I-77—stand as testaments to human ingenuity. The East River project alone cost $40 million (equivalent to ~$250 million today), with Virginia and West Virginia sharing expenses since the state line bisects the tunnel.
Construction teams battled Tuscarora sandstone, subterranean caves, and treacherous mudslides. At one point, a sinkhole dropped a tunnel section by two feet, requiring emergency concrete infusions. Safety innovations followed tragedy: After a 100-car pileup near Fancy Gap in 2013, variable speed limit signs were installed to dynamically adjust for fog and ice. Today, the tunnels feature:
- Automated ventilation systems that monitor carbon monoxide levels
- Backup generators ensuring continuous operation
- 15-minute maintenance windows to minimize closures
The Turnpike’s modernization (1979–1987) exemplifies adaptive engineering. Crews “twinned” the original two-lane road by adding parallel lanes—sometimes repurposing the old roadbed for northbound traffic, other times abandoning it entirely. This phased approach allowed the highway to remain operational throughout construction.
Economic Lifeline and Tourism Artery
I-77 fundamentally reshaped West Virginia’s economy. Before its completion, the drive from Marietta to Cleveland via US 21 took eight grueling hours over twisting hills. I-77 slashed this to under three hours, catalyzing development: Hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers sprouted near exits, even as older businesses like Hoag’s Lafayette Hotel adapted to new competition.
Today, the Turnpike segment (Princeton to Charleston) serves as a vital “snowbird route” for Great Lakes residents migrating south seasonally. It also fuels tourism:
- Tamarack Marketplace (Beckley): Showcases statewide artisan crafts and cuisine
- Blennerhasset Island (Parkersburg): Offers mansion tours amid Ohio River vistas
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (Weston): Draws history and paranormal enthusiasts
- Summersville Lake: Provides cliff jumping and houseboat rentals in the “Little Bahamas of the East”
Must-Experience Stops Along the Corridor
Table: Noteworthy I-77 Exits in West Virginia
| Exit | Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluefield | East River Overlook, Bowen Field (minor league baseball) |
| 9 | Princeton | Turnpike history, Mexican at Maria’s |
| 45 | Beckley | Tamarack Marketplace, Winterplace Ski Resort |
| 57 | Charleston | State Capitol, Clay Center, Soho’s Italian dining |
| 79 | Ripley | Civil War history, Silverton scenic views |
| 185 | Parkersburg | Blennerhasset Island, art deco downtown |
Driving Tips for the Mountain Passage
- Toll Preparedness: The Turnpike charges cars $4.25 per toll plaza (three plazas between Princeton and Charleston). Electronic E-ZPass lanes expedite travel.
- Weather Vigilance: Mountain microclimates create sudden fog or ice—heed variable speed limits, especially near Fancy Gap.
- Scenic Breaks: Pull-offs like the Bluestone River Overlook (near Camp Creek) offer photo ops without exiting.
The Road Ahead
As electric vehicles and autonomous technology reshape highways, I-77’s legacy endures: a conduit not just between states, but between history and possibility. From Hoag’s inaugural drive across the Ohio River bridge in 1967 to today’s families bound for Summersville Lake, this corridor remains West Virginia’s open invitation to explore.
Bibliography
Andrew Turnbull. “I-77 and the West Virginia Turnpike.” The Roads and Rails of Mercer County, WV. Accessed June 3, 2025. http://www.andrewturnbull.net/i77.html.
“Experience Almost Heaven along Interstate 77.” West Virginia Tourism. Last updated December 26, 2024. https://wvtourism.com/interstate77-roadtrip/.
“Interstate 77.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_77.
“Interstate 77 in West Virginia.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_77_in_West_Virginia.
Longfellow, Rickie. “The Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnels.” Federal Highway Administration. Last updated June 30, 2023. https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/back-time/big-walker-and-east-river-mountain-tunnels.
“Road Trips on I-77: Mountain Lakes.” West Virginia Tourism. Last updated April 26, 2024. https://wvtourism.com/road-trips-on-i-77-mountain-lakes/.
Smith, Art. “I-77 Was a Late Addition to Interstate Plan.” Marietta Times, March 2023. https://www.mariettatimes.com/life/local-columns-life/2023/03/i-77-was-a-late-addition-to-interstate-plan/.
“West Virginia Scenic Turnpike Road Trip.” AAA. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://www.aaa.com/roadtrips/midatlantic/west-virginia-scenic-turnpike-SB565115.
As always, thank you for riding with me!
https://youtu.be/ElXhOgB_7RU
Visibility: Partly Cloudy
*GPS Coordinate Data Provided on bottom left corner with date and speed*
Destinations in West Virginia by appearance:
South Charleston
Dunbar
Institute
Cross Lanes
Nitro (11:00)
Kanawha Turnpike – Spring Hill – South Charleston (30:00)
Southridge
WV601/Jefferson Road – South Charleston (45:00)
I64W – Dunbar (50:00)
40th Street – Nitro (1:00:00)
WV622/Goff Mountain Road – Cross Lanes (1:05:00)
Nitro Marketplace – Cross Lanes
I64E – Dunbar (1:15:00)
Charleston
I64E – Charleston (1:20:00)
Big Chimney
Sissonville
I77N – Charleston/Sissonville (1:30:00)
Pocatalico
Goldtown
CR21/Charleston Road – Kenna (1:45:00)
I77S – Pocatalico (2:00:00)
I77S – Westmorland – Charleston (2:10:00)
US119S/Corridor G – Charleston (2:15:00)
WV601/Jefferson Road & Kanawha Turnpike Interchange (2:30:30)
Ending: Spring Hill – South Charleston
Listen while you ride: My Spotify Playlists
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI2WfzKqFIz5dD0BOA1iw?si=4f12084e12b247ec – Mix
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IWoDtlir7k6eww0PNVdGh?si=dca253ebf4e94ac1 – Chill
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TNiUuJHvogwtk7ZxWoOpl?si=d4594c2bf5ff4328 – Upbeat
