West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road Itinerary
The West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road is an unforgettable journey through some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the US. Starting in Arbovale and ending in Summersville, this 162 km route is best experienced during the warmer months of the year. Along the way, you'll pass through towns like Slaty Fork and Richwood, and enjoy spectacular views of the Allegheny Mountains. The road is in excellent condition, and suitable for all drivers. You can complete the trip in a day, or take your time and explore the area. What's more, you can do it all on a moderate budget, making this road trip a great way to enjoy a memorable experience without breaking the bank.
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number of days
162 km
route length
fair
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
Arbovale
Distance 162 km
Driving time 2.5 h
Pace: fast
48.7 kWh
Airports
IAD
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Arbovale is a unique destination situated in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and is an ideal starting point for the West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road. Arbovale has a lot to offer, from breathtaking panoramic views to a variety of outdoor activities. The Highland Panoramic Road is a perfect way to experience all that Arbovale has to offer. Along the way, visitors can enjoy the majestic views of the Appalachian Mountains, the beautiful Greenbrier River, and the rolling hills of the Allegheny Plateau.
Arbovale is also home to many interesting locations to explore. Visitors can visit the historic Arbovale Lumber Mill, the Arbovale National Wildlife Refuge, and the Monongahela National Forest. Additionally, there are a variety of recreational activities available, such as hiking, fishing, and biking.
For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Car rentals are available at the airport for those wishing to explore the area.
Arbovale is the perfect starting point for the West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road. With its stunning views, historic locations, and recreational activities, Arbovale is sure to provide a memorable adventure.
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Arbovale
- Slaty Fork
Distance 38 km
Driving time 0.6 h
Pace: fast
11.5 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Arbovale to Slaty Fork? This 24mi journey will take you less than an hour to complete and you will get to see some of the most interesting places in the area.
Start your journey in Arbovale and visit the beautiful Seneca State Forest. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Then, make your way to the Greenbrier River, where you can take a dip or go for a leisurely stroll.
Once you reach Slaty Fork, you'll get to see the picturesque Monongahela National Forest. Here, you can explore the trails, go on a sightseeing tour, or have a picnic.
For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the Itinerary of this stage. Have a great trip!
Slaty Fork - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikipedia
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2
Slaty Fork
- Richwood
Distance 87 km
Driving time 1.3 h
Pace: fast
26.0 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on a 54mi journey from Slaty Fork to Richwood, a drive that will take you less than two hours. This is one of the stages of a larger tour, so make sure to take your time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the area.
Start your journey in Slaty Fork, where you can visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, a research center dedicated to the study of radio astronomy. Afterward, make sure to check out the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, a historic steam locomotive park.
As you make your way to Richwood, you will pass by the Monongahela National Forest and the Seneca Rocks Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center, you can learn about the geology of the area and explore the trails that lead to the top of the Seneca Rocks.
When you reach Richwood, you can visit the Richwood Historic District, a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, you can explore the historic buildings, visit the Richwood Museum, and take in the beauty of the town.
For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage.
Richwood - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikipédia
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3
Richwood
- Summersville
Distance 37 km
Driving time 0.6 h
Pace: fast
11.2 kWh
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Itinerary
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Welcome, road-trippers! Get ready for an amazing journey from Richwood to Summersville, a distance of 23mi that can be covered in less than an hour.
The first stop is in Richwood, where you can explore the Richwood Railroad Museum, a unique place to learn about the area’s history, or take a stroll in the Richwood Botanic Garden and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The next stop is in Summersville, where you can visit the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, a great place to learn about the Civil War. There is also the Summersville Lake, a great spot for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip!
Summersville - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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Summersville
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Summersville, located in the United States, is the perfect end point to a stunning road trip known as the West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road. This route will take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, giving you the perfect opportunity to take in the sights of the Appalachian Mountains.
Once you reach Summersville, you can explore its many attractions. The Summersville Lake Retreat offers a range of activities, from fishing to swimming and boating. The town also has several parks and trails, offering the perfect spot for a picnic or a leisurely stroll. For those who enjoy art and culture, the Summersville Public Library is home to an impressive collection of books and artifacts.
If you're looking for a thrilling adventure, the New River Gorge National River is located nearby and offers a range of activities, including white water rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing. For those seeking an even greater adrenaline rush, the Fayetteville area hosts a range of outdoor activities, including zip lining, mountain biking, and ATV tours.
For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, West Virginia. From there, you can rent a car and drive the rest of the way to Summersville.
Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely vacation or an exciting adventure, Summersville is the perfect end point of the West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road. With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and thrilling activities, Summersville is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Summersville - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road at a glance
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Start:
Arbovale
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End:
Summersville
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Distance:
162 km
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Stay:
1 day
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Getting there:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
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When to drive:
May, June, July, August, September
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
We believe that the presented journey idea has become a superb inspiration for your future holiday excursions.
We’ve presented you with a bunch of useful pieces of advice that can be readily expanded with your own creative travel ideas.
If car travel is a means of travel that you prefer, there are a number of essential road rules to follow and a bunch of things to be mindful of to make your adventure smooth.
These tips will surely become useful for drivers who are interested in hiring a car or camper rental in West Virginia.
When on a tour around West Virginia, there are numerous traffic regulations to be remembered.
To be on the safe side, try to avoid alcohol at any cost.
Travellers should remember that the amount of alcohol that can be consumed is very low and amounts to only 0.5‰.
Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 40km/h, inside the cities may result in a speeding fine.
When it comes to rural areas, you should bear in mind that the maximum car speed is 72km/h.
The speed limit when it comes to highways in West Virginia is 129km/h.
Driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher heavily increase the safety.
The majority of drivers wonder about the costs of the whole tour.
The final cost of the whole tour can vary depending on the budget option that you go for.
Let’s have a look at the budget options.
If you’d like to benefit from the cheapest offer to cover the planned 162km across West Virginia, it can be roughly 25 EUR.
Economy accommodation options will cost holidaymakers roughly 77 EUR.
Those who opt for this option will spend more or less 72 EUR on restaurants and food.
Travellers will have to pay approximately 45 EUR if they choose the budget car hire offer as well.
Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the costs of the road trip from around 174 EUR to roughly 219 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, the gasoline for 4 stages around West Virginia can amount to 25 EUR.
If you are into standard accommodation options, you should remember that the expenses can amount up to approximately 121 EUR.
Food and restaurants from the standard range will cost about 108 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental car should expect a cost of around 54 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 308 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend approximately 254 EUR.
Tourists who are considering the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium option.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 470 EUR for the whole tour, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend roughly 380 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the tour in a premium rental car can expect a cost of about 90 EUR.
If you are interested in the highest comfort of the adventure, you have to spend the maximum of 38 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the tour.
You should expect to pay roughly 198 EUR for accommodation and 144 EUR for food and restaurants if you are searching for the exclusive standard of services during West Virginia Highland Panoramic Road.
Our tour is also an ideal opportunity for all camper enthusiasts.
If you are considering this transport option, the expenses may amount to roughly 225 EUR.
If you are wondering about the fuel costs for the whole road trip, they will amount to around 50 EUR.
Holidaymakers who are interested in camper hire should expect to pay more or less 55 EUR for overnight stays and approximately 72 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section presents all the above-mentioned details in an easy to follow way.
There are multiple intriguing journeys that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip opportunities.
Hopefully, the broad spectrum of ideas will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers.