Car Hire West Virginia

Guide

The people of West Virginia have been known for their independent spirit ever since the state first separated from Virginia in 1863. This state is a convenient tourism destination for many Americans, 60 per cent of whom live less than 500 miles outside the state. With car hire in West Virginia, visitors will soon discover this down to earth state has much to offer beyond coal and its breathtaking Appalachian Mountains.

Hiring a Vehicle

Most West Virginia cities and airports present visitors with plenty of opportunities to pick up a car, with Yeager Airport offering one of the widest vehicle selections as the air gateway to the state’s biggest city, Charleston. Many companies also offer motorcycles for rent in addition to cars and visitors can compare car hire prices in advance to decide on the most suitable option for their budget.

Transport Options

West Virginia’s biggest air gateway is Charleston’s Yeager Airport, where more than 70 flights travel from and to 10 cities throughout the American east coast and Midwest. Seven smaller state airports also offer regular flights to various American cities. There are six Greyhound bus stops in West Virginia as well as a daily bus service between Charleston and Parkersburg, and two Amtrak rail routes. However, cars and motorcycles remain the most efficient transportation means in most of the state.

Car Hire Driving Tips in West Virginia

Interstates 64, 77, and 79 are West Virginia’s main roads, but brief stretches of four other interstate highways also pass through the state. Outside of these main interstates, however, roads can be tricky to navigate. Many mountain roads feature hairpin curves, loops around high summits, and steep inclines. Guard rails are missing on many small rural roads. Falling coal chunks from coal trucks are another driving hazard.

Not to be Missed!

None of West Virginia’s breathtaking natural landmarks are photographed more often than the Blackwater River gorge at Blackwater Falls State Park. However, several more scenic bodies of water flow alongside the state’s modern technology corridor in the Mountains and Lakes Country near southern Pennsylvania. Much of West Virginia’s Civil War history lies between the caving and skiing opportunities in the Potomac Highlands. The state’s southernmost region, the Greenbrier and New River valleys, is a popular white water rafting spot.

Weather & Tourist Seasons

Few American states receive as much precipitation as West Virginia, especially between April and September. There is also quite a bit of winter snow, especially in the Allegheny Highlands and other cooler mountain regions. Winter temperatures hover between -5°C and 5°C. Allegheny Highlands moisture also contributes to West Virginia’s status as one of the cloudiest American states. The Tygart Valley is especially prone to dense fog. On the other hand, the state experiences fewer tornados and other severe weather conditions than any other eastern American state.