Commute from South Charleston, WV to Washington DC (Charles Town, White Sulphur Springs: appointed, fit in)

[saravangolla]

Hi,

I'm moving to Charleston, WV this week and would be commuting to DC as my family is up there. So, just wanted to know if there is a way to commute to Washington DC using a bus or train. I want to find something alternative to Greyhound and Amtrak as both don't really fit into my schedule.

Thanks in advance.

[snorpus]

Sara,

Are you planning on commuting on a daily basis? Because it's about 350 miles from South Charleston to Washington DC.

Perhaps you're inquiring about Charles Town WV, which is in the Eastern Panhandle, and a whole lot closer to DC.

Snorpus

[saravangolla]

Thanks for the reply. And I'm not planning to commute daily. I only want to commute on the weekends like leave on Friday night from Charleston, WV to DC and return from DC on Sunday night. I will be glad if you can help me out.

[atlantagreg30127]

Amtrak is the only train to my knowledge that goes through Charleston. I think it's something like 3 times a week (check their schedule site). Greyhound is the bus service (no commuter lines from Chas to DC). Driving seems to be your best (and only) real bet if the Amtrak schedules don't fit with you.

[CTMountaineer]

With that kind of distance, it will be a tough task to commute week in and week out.

[saravangolla]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm totally disappointed hearing that I can't commute in the weekends from now on.
Anyways, still wondering if there is a bus or a train to go to another town like Charlottesville, VA or any other location nearby which has bus or train service to DC?

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by saravangolla

Thanks for the input guys. I'm totally disappointed hearing that I can't commute in the weekends from now on.
Anyways, still wondering if there is a bus or a train to go to another town like Charlottesville, VA or any other location nearby which has bus or train service to DC?

The train (The Cardinal) which goes thru Charleston is the same train that goes from Charlottesville to DC.

Here's what's possible. Amtrak Train 50 (The Cardinal) leaves Chicago eastbound on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 5:45pm. It reaches Charleston WV about 8:15am (on Wed, Fri, and Sunday). If you boarded the Cardinal at 8:15am on a Friday, you would be in to DC at 5:55pm Friday evening.

Westbound departures from DC are on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. So you could catch Train 51 (the westbound Cardinal) at 11:10am on Sunday in DC, and you'd be in Charleston that evening at 8:10pm. If you don't return on Sunday, you have to wait until Wednesday for the next westbound Cardinal.

A nice thing about this schedule is that you go through the New River Gorge in daylight, as well as the crossing of the Alleghenies between White Sulphur Springs WV and Clifton Forge, VA.

[Jesco White]

It's a long trip, but not impossible. I would take the turnpike (64East) all the way to 81 North, follow that to 84 East at Staunton, and take that to Charlottesville where you'll get off on exit 118B (250 Easy Bypass). Take that to 29 North, which goes all the way to 66E to DC.

or, you can just avoid getting back on 64E at Staunton, and take 81 all the way north to 66, but that will be further. It's the sort of trip I could only stomach once a month, tops.

[Silkdashocker]

Is flying an option? It's rather cheap to fly from CRW to Dulles.

[Chriscross309]

Originally Posted by Silkdashocker

Is flying an option? It's rather cheap to fly from CRW to Dulles.

This is a good idea!