West Virginia Turnpike - Turnpike Today

Turnpike Today

From its northern terminus at Charleston, to the southern end at Princeton, the turnpike travels a total of 88 miles (142 km). At first, the Turnpike parallels the Kanawha River and is mostly level. After Exit 85 (WV 61 to US 60, Chelyan/Cedar Grove), the road takes a sharp right turn and then arrives at the first tollbooth. Proceeding south, the Turnpike traverses rugged terrain and features several sharp curves and grades greater than 6%. The speed limit of 60 mph (97 km/h) is vigorously enforced by a toll-paid force of state police. This stretch of the Turnpike has seen no greater accident rate than similar sections with higher speed limits, and in fact was signed at 65 mph (105 km/h) from 1987 to 1995 with no change in its accident rate. The middle section of the Turnpike (roughly between Exits 60 and 28) mostly runs along ridge tops and more level areas near the city of Beckley, allowing for a 70 mph (110 km/h) speed limit. The last segment (roughly from Exit 28 to Exit 9) has both mountainous and level sections, and retains the 70 mph (110 km/h) speed limit. The Turnpike officially ends at Exit 9 (US 460, Princeton/Pearisburg). I-77 continues south from this point as a freeway, and crosses into Virginia through the East River Mountain Tunnel near Bluefield.

North of the Turnpike, I-77 continues as a freeway through northwestern West Virginia and exits the state across the Ohio River near Parkersburg.

There are three toll booths along the Turnpike. As of March 2012, passenger cars pay $2.00 at each toll booth. Additionally, there is a toll booth at exit 48 (to US 19, North Beckley/Summersville), which charges $0.40 for automobiles. Rates for larger vehicles are higher. The southernmost toll booth is south of the split with I-64, so east/west basic traffic pays $4.00. The West Virginia Turnpike is a member of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection consortium, allowing members to use express lanes and pay electronically.