Interstate 77 in West Virginia
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of West Virginia
, Interstate 77
(I-77) is a major north–south Interstate highway. It extends for 187.21 miles (301 km) between Bluefield
at the Virginia
state line to Williamstown
at the Ohio
state line.
The highway serves Charleston, the capital and largest city in West Virginia; it also serves the large cities of Beckley, Bluefield
, and Parkersburg
. I-77 uses the entire length of the West Virginia Turnpike
between Princeton and Charleston, and it is concurrent
with Interstate 64
between Beckley and Charleston.
; it is concurrent
with U.S. Route 52
within the tunnel. It surfaces in Mercer County
to the east of Bluefield. I-77's first exit in West Virginia is 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) north of the state line; US 52 leaves the highway here. I-77 continues north to Princeton
. In Princeton, I-77 becomes the West Virginia Turnpike
, which it remains through Charleston
. The highway continues northward through rural Mercer County, roughly following U.S. Route 19
. It crosses the Bluestone River
in Eads Mill
and passes Camp Creek State Park
in Camp Creek
. I-77 enters Raleigh County
near the community of Ghent
. I-77's northbound and southbound lanes separate here; they do not reunite until a point south of Daniels
. I-77 meets I-64
south of Beckley
, and the two highways become concurrent. The highways bypass the west side of Beckley and pass the turnpike's Beckley Service Area, which includes Tamarack, Best of West Virginia
, at exit 45. I-77 heads north from Beckley into the Appalachian Mountains
. It enters Fayette County
near Pax
, and it crosses into Kanawha County
near Standard
shortly afterwards. The highway continues north until it reaches the Kanawha River
near Cabin Creek
, where it turns northwest to follow the river into Charleston. I-77 crosses the river between exits 95 and 96 in Port Amherst
. The West Virginia Turnpike ends after exit 96, and I-77 becomes a freeway. I-77 continues into downtown Charleston after the turnpike ends. It crosses the Elk River
before separating from I-64 at an interchange in north Charleston. I-77 heads northeast along the river until it meets the southern terminus of Interstate 79
near Yeager Airport
. I-77 then heads north into rural Kanawha County. It enters Jackson County near Goldtown
. The highway continues north through Ripley
, where it intersects U.S. Route 33
. It becomes concurrent with US 33 and remains so through Silverton
, where US 33 leaves the interstate and West Virginia Route 2 joins it. I-77 turns northeast toward Rockport
, where it enters Wood County
and turns north toward Parkersburg
. It runs through the southeast corner of Parkersburg, bypassing the center of the city. It crosses the Little Kanawha River
south of Parkersburg and heads northeast from the city. WV 2 leaves I-77 soon after, at exit 179 in North Hills
. I-77 heads north towards Williamstown
, where it crosses the Ohio River
into Marietta, Ohio
on the Marietta-Williamstown Interstate Bridge
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, Interstate 77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
(I-77) is a major north–south Interstate highway. It extends for 187.21 miles (301 km) between Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
at the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
state line to Williamstown
Williamstown, West Virginia
Williamstown is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,996 at the 2000 census...
at the Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
state line.
The highway serves Charleston, the capital and largest city in West Virginia; it also serves the large cities of Beckley, Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
, and Parkersburg
Parkersburg, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing...
. I-77 uses the entire length of the West Virginia Turnpike
West Virginia Turnpike
The West Virginia Turnpike is a toll road in the US state of West Virginia. It is also signed as Interstate 77 for its entire length as well as Interstate 64 from Charleston to just south of Beckley. From Beckley, the road extends south to Princeton...
between Princeton and Charleston, and it is concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with Interstate 64
Interstate 64 in West Virginia
The alignment of Interstate 64 was to originally parallel US 60 from Charleston to the Virginia state line. This would go through environmentally sensitive areas such as Hawk's Nest and the New River Gorge area and might have disrupted the natural beauty and the isolation of the area.In 1969,...
between Beckley and Charleston.
Route description
Interstate 77 enters West Virginia from Virginia via the East River Mountain TunnelEast River Mountain Tunnel
The East River Mountain Tunnel is a vehicular tunnel that carries Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 52 through East River Mountain between the communities of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Rocky Gap, Virginia.-History:...
; it is concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
within the tunnel. It surfaces in Mercer County
Mercer County, West Virginia
-External links:* * * * * * *...
to the east of Bluefield. I-77's first exit in West Virginia is 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) north of the state line; US 52 leaves the highway here. I-77 continues north to Princeton
Princeton, West Virginia
Princeton is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 111,586. It is the county seat of Mercer County...
. In Princeton, I-77 becomes the West Virginia Turnpike
West Virginia Turnpike
The West Virginia Turnpike is a toll road in the US state of West Virginia. It is also signed as Interstate 77 for its entire length as well as Interstate 64 from Charleston to just south of Beckley. From Beckley, the road extends south to Princeton...
, which it remains through Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
. The highway continues northward through rural Mercer County, roughly following U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
. It crosses the Bluestone River
Bluestone River
The Bluestone River is a tributary of the New River, 77 mi long, in southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia in the United States. Via the New, Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
in Eads Mill
Eads Mill, West Virginia
Eads Mill is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Eads Mill is located on the Bluestone River northwest of Athens....
and passes Camp Creek State Park
Camp Creek State Park
Camp Creek State Park was created in 1987 by dividing the area from Camp Creek State Forest. Camp Creek State Park is located about two miles from the Camp Creek Exit of I-77 in Mercer County, West Virginia.- Features :* 3 campgrounds...
in Camp Creek
Camp Creek, West Virginia
Camp Creek is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Camp Creek is located along Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 19 north of Princeton. Camp Creek has a post office with ZIP code 25820....
. I-77 enters Raleigh County
Raleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile...
near the community of Ghent
Ghent, West Virginia
Ghent is an unincorporated census-designated place in Raleigh County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, its population was 457....
. I-77's northbound and southbound lanes separate here; they do not reunite until a point south of Daniels
Daniels, West Virginia
Daniels is a census-designated place in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,881 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Daniels is located at ....
. I-77 meets I-64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
south of Beckley
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House...
, and the two highways become concurrent. The highways bypass the west side of Beckley and pass the turnpike's Beckley Service Area, which includes Tamarack, Best of West Virginia
Tamarack, Best of West Virginia
Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia: is a tourist destination located at Exit 44 above the Beckley service area of the West Virginia Turnpike. It features a red peaked roof and landscaped grounds that draw over 500,000 visitors annually...
, at exit 45. I-77 heads north from Beckley into the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
. It enters Fayette County
Fayette County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 21,616 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
near Pax
Pax, West Virginia
Pax is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 174 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pax is located at ....
, and it crosses into Kanawha County
Kanawha County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile . There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile...
near Standard
Standard, West Virginia
Standard is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. The community is located on the West Virginia Turnpike north of the Fayette County line....
shortly afterwards. The highway continues north until it reaches the Kanawha River
Kanawha River
The Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 97 mi long, in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The largest inland waterway in West Virginia, it has formed a significant industrial region of the state since the middle of the 19th century.It is formed at the town of Gauley...
near Cabin Creek
Cabin Creek, West Virginia
Cabin Creek is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Cabin Creek is located on the south bank of the Kanawha River, southeast of Chesapeake. It was the site of an early African-American community in the late nineteenth century. A notable resident was Adam...
, where it turns northwest to follow the river into Charleston. I-77 crosses the river between exits 95 and 96 in Port Amherst
Port Amherst, West Virginia
Port Amherst is an unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. Port Amherst is located on the Kanawha River southeast of Charleston. It is the northern terminus of the West Virginia Turnpike and is also served by U.S. Route 60....
. The West Virginia Turnpike ends after exit 96, and I-77 becomes a freeway. I-77 continues into downtown Charleston after the turnpike ends. It crosses the Elk River
Elk River (West Virginia)
The Elk River is a tributary of the Kanawha River, long, in central West Virginia in the United States. Via the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.-Course:...
before separating from I-64 at an interchange in north Charleston. I-77 heads northeast along the river until it meets the southern terminus of Interstate 79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
near Yeager Airport
Yeager Airport
Yeager Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Charleston, a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. It is owned by the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority...
. I-77 then heads north into rural Kanawha County. It enters Jackson County near Goldtown
Goldtown, West Virginia
Goldtown is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia, United States. Goldtown is south-southeast of Ripley....
. The highway continues north through Ripley
Ripley, West Virginia
Ripley is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, West Virginia, United States.-Geography:Ripley is located at , along Mill Creek....
, where it intersects U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
. It becomes concurrent with US 33 and remains so through Silverton
Silverton, West Virginia
Silverton is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia, United States. Silverton is located at the junction of Interstate 77, U.S. Route 33, and West Virginia Route 2 southeast of Ravenswood....
, where US 33 leaves the interstate and West Virginia Route 2 joins it. I-77 turns northeast toward Rockport
Rockport, Wood County, West Virginia
Rockport is an unincorporated community in Wood County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 705 feet , along Tygart Creek. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 26169....
, where it enters Wood County
Wood County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 87,986 people, 36,275 households, and 24,884 families residing in the county. The population density was 240 people per square mile . There were 39,785 housing units at an average density of 108 per square mile...
and turns north toward Parkersburg
Parkersburg, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing...
. It runs through the southeast corner of Parkersburg, bypassing the center of the city. It crosses the Little Kanawha River
Little Kanawha River
The Little Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, 169 mi long, in western West Virginia in the United States. Via the Ohio, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 2,320 mi² on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau...
south of Parkersburg and heads northeast from the city. WV 2 leaves I-77 soon after, at exit 179 in North Hills
North Hills, West Virginia
North Hills is a town in Wood County, West Virginia, United States. It is a suburb of Parkersburg. The population was 880 at the 2000 census. North Hills was incorporated on February 15, 1979.Chance Murdock grew up here from 1981-1987.-Geography:...
. I-77 heads north towards Williamstown
Williamstown, West Virginia
Williamstown is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,996 at the 2000 census...
, where it crosses the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
into Marietta, Ohio
Marietta, Ohio
Marietta is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Ohio, United States. During 1788, pioneers to the Ohio Country established Marietta as the first permanent American settlement of the new United States in the Northwest Territory. Marietta is located in southeastern Ohio at the mouth...
on the Marietta-Williamstown Interstate Bridge
Marietta-Williamstown Interstate Bridge
This four-lane cantilever bridge carries Interstate 77 between Williamstown, West Virginia and Marietta, Ohio. It was rehabilitated in 2003.-External links:* at Bridges & Tunnels...
.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer Mercer County, West Virginia -External links:* * * * * * *... |
Bluefield Bluefield, West Virginia Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:... |
0.6 | 1 | North end of US 52 overlap | |
| Ingleside Ingleside, West Virginia Ingleside is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Ingleside is located on Interstate 77 and West Virginia Route 112 and is south of Princeton, West Virginia.... |
5.0 | 5 | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| 6.7 | 7 | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |||
| Princeton Princeton, West Virginia Princeton is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 111,586. It is the county seat of Mercer County... |
8.8 | 9 | West Virginia Tourist Welcome Center and Vietnam War Memorial; south end of West Virginia Turnpike West Virginia Turnpike The West Virginia Turnpike is a toll road in the US state of West Virginia. It is also signed as Interstate 77 for its entire length as well as Interstate 64 from Charleston to just south of Beckley. From Beckley, the road extends south to Princeton... |
||
| 13.6 | 14 | ||||
| 19.6 | 20 | Camp Creek State Park Camp Creek State Park Camp Creek State Park was created in 1987 by dividing the area from Camp Creek State Forest. Camp Creek State Park is located about two miles from the Camp Creek Exit of I-77 in Mercer County, West Virginia.- Features :* 3 campgrounds... |
|||
| Raleigh Raleigh County, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile... |
28.8 | 28 | |||
| Beckley Beckley, West Virginia Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House... |
39.3 | 40 | South end of I-64 overlap | ||
| 41.8 | 42 | Twin Falls Resort State Park Twin Falls Resort State Park Twin Falls State Resort Park is a state park in Wyoming County, West Virginia. It is located west of Exit 42 from the West Virginia Turnpike.The park was opened in 1968 and was completed by 1975... |
|||
| 44.3 | 44 | ||||
| 45.6 | 45 | Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia | |||
| 47.4 | 48 | ||||
| Fayette Fayette County, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 21,616 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile... |
54.4 | 54 | |||
| 59.4 | 60 | ||||
| 66.0 | 66 | ||||
| Kanawha Kanawha County, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 200,073 people, 86,226 households, and 55,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile . There were 93,788 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile... |
74.0 | 74 | |||
| 79.3 | 79 | ||||
| 84.5 | 85 | ||||
| Marmet Marmet, West Virginia Marmet is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA, along the Kanawha River.-Geography:Marmet is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles , of which, 1.4 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is... |
89.3 | 89 | |||
| Charleston Charleston, West Virginia Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early... |
94.3 | 95 | |||
| 95.5 | 96 | South end of US 60 overlap; north end of West Virginia Turnpike West Virginia Turnpike The West Virginia Turnpike is a toll road in the US state of West Virginia. It is also signed as Interstate 77 for its entire length as well as Interstate 64 from Charleston to just south of Beckley. From Beckley, the road extends south to Princeton... |
|||
| 96.6 | 97 | North end of US 60 overlap; northbound exit and southbound entrance | |||
| 98.0 | 98 | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |||
| 98.9 | 99 | ||||
| 100.0 | 100 | Leon Sullivan Way, Capitol Street | |||
| 100.7 | 101 | North end of I-64 overlap | |||
| 101.4 | 102 | ||||
| 102.7 | 104 | ||||
| Sissonville Sissonville, West Virginia Sissonville is an unincorporated census-designated place in Kanawha County, West Virginia, along the Pocatalico River. The population was 4,028 at the 2010 census... |
105.9 | 106 | |||
| 109.9 | 111 | ||||
| 112.4 | 114 | ||||
| 115.0 | 116 | ||||
| Jackson | 118.9 | 119 | |||
| 123.9 | 124 | ||||
| Ripley Ripley, West Virginia Ripley is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, West Virginia, United States.-Geography:Ripley is located at , along Mill Creek.... |
131.4 | 132 | |||
| 136.9 | 138 | South end of US 33 overlap | |||
| 145.0 | 146 | North end of US 33 overlap; south end of WV 2 overlap | |||
| 153.4 | 154 | ||||
| Wood Wood County, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 87,986 people, 36,275 households, and 24,884 families residing in the county. The population density was 240 people per square mile . There were 39,785 housing units at an average density of 108 per square mile... |
160.7 | 161 | – Rockport Rockport, Wood County, West Virginia Rockport is an unincorporated community in Wood County, West Virginia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 705 feet , along Tygart Creek. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 26169.... |
||
| Parkersburg Parkersburg, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing... |
169.0 | 170 | |||
| 172.2 | 173 | ||||
| 172.9 | 174 | ||||
| 175.4 | 176 | ||||
| 179.0 | 179 | North end of WV 2 overlap | |||
| 184.8 | 185 |