What is the worst road to drive in WV? (Huntington: lawyer, college)

[italianbluesboy]

I know people hate to drive from Man to Logan on the old Route 10. Or Route 52 (Tolsia Highway) from Williamson to Kenova. But for me, it is Route 54 from Beckley to Mullens. Since there is so little economic activity in Mullens, many of the people must drive to Beckley for jobs or shopping or doctors or whatever. The road is an unpleasant mix of slow, elderly, retired people and hyper, younger, impatient drivers. They typical experience for me on it is to follow a slow old man in a two tone truck going about 40 mph with a young girl in a small red car behind me about to blow a gasket because she would rather go 70 mph.

So how about it? Route 52 from Bluefield to Welch? Route 35 to Point Pleasant? U.S. 219? Route 2 along the Ohio River? Heck, a lot of people would list the WV Turnpike, not just because you have to pay tolls to drive on a twisty road with a rough, washboard like surface that should have been given to WVDOT years ago, but also due to the driving habits of people from Ohio and Michigan.

[snorpus]

And you're referring to the "new" turnpike!

Originally, the pike was two lanes*. Occasionally, there would be a third, passing lane in the middle, which could be used by traffic going either direction. It was commonly called the suicide lane.

But I'm gonna have to think about this for a while. There's plenty of candidates.

* That's "two lanes" in the WV usage. Down South, a "two lane" is what we would call a four lane divided highway.

[David Kennedy]

Wheeling to Fairmont on Rt 250...only widened a little since 1848 and still carries the same grades and horrendous curves. The last time I drove it was a trip to Bethany College and swore I was seeing the rear bumber coming around as I negotiated the turns.

It may not be much for cars...but bikes...that's an entirely different animal...a friend from Pittburgh...Monroevile...Bovard actually, rides it about three or four times a year on his HD. He says the scenic tour is the best..I just laugh...Keeping my promise to myself to never drive it again...

[kevinm]

How about Rt 61 from Montgomery to Kanawha City? Speed traps galore.

[Two-Rivers]

I suppose it depends on when you ask me and what I'm driving.

At the moment, bumper stickers here read, "Pray for me, I drive Rt.47", and that's the way I get to the farm. The white edge lines are crumbling into the ditches. Spot paving three feet wide has turned this road into a mess, and it's still full of holes. Collapsed sections make roller coaster rides that sicken passengers. Still the preferred route for me, being straighter than others.

Route 2 along the river, piece of cake. Was actually a quicker route to Huntington for me when interstates were 55mph.

Route 10 or Rt 5 in Logan co.- I've run that route a few times with a 65' rig hauling oversize mine equipment. Really should have had an escort, but they wouldn't give me one for any run down there.

Rt. 5 going over to Dingess was another chiller in Logan co., I guarantee you, that driver with the oversize load coming at you, is as scared of you, as you are of him. There's a turn at the top of a mountain just before you go down into Dingess, with overhanging rocks, and there are semi-tire tracks up on the bank 10 ' or higher in someone's front yard (made fresh daily). The guardrail on the opposite side is smashed to fit where the trucks must run to stay off the yellow line. I met a bread truck and a line of cars and coal trucks there. They all backed down the hill a bit.

Rt. 35- Could be worse, I guess in a car you may be in traffic below the speed limit.

As far as slower or less skilled driver's, I've learned to expect and anticipate them, and wait for a safe and legal passing lane. A lot of passing lanes have been removed from roads all over the US.

The cell phone to the ear makes me react as much as seeing a deer eye glowing at night.

Watch out for the suicidal deer!

[snorpus]

I'll nominate Rt 2, from Moundsville down to St. Marys.

It's on a narrow ledge, with the hillside (Watch Out For Fallen Rocks!) to one side, and a drop off (capsized in places) to the river on the other. Doesn't appear to have been repaved since Wally Barron was governor.

A few stretches have been four-laned, but my friends suggest crossing the river and using Rt 7 in Ohio if at all possible.

[Janipoo]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

Wheeling to Fairmont on Rt 250...only widened a little since 1848 and still carries the same grades and horrendous curves. The last time I drove it was a trip to Bethany College and swore I was seeing the rear bumber coming around as I negotiated the turns.

It may not be much for cars...but bikes...that's an entirely different animal...a friend from Pittburgh...Monroevile...Bovard actually, rides it about three or four times a year on his HD. He says the scenic tour is the best..I just laugh...Keeping my promise to myself to never drive it again...

I was going to say 250 in general and God help you if you have out of state tags, I swear they try to push you over. One wrong move and your a goner .

[WVUPharm2007]

West Run Road in Morgantown during rush hour. Imagine passing 40 cars going 55 MPH on a 1/2 mile road that is the width of a golf cart path. The absurdity of the entire thing is more or less a microcosm of Morgantown's infrastructure.

[David Kennedy]

Wally Barron? Wasn't he one of our gov's who did a little prison time? He...Arch and one other...and Arch tired to get his Law license reinstated...that's a lawyer for you...everytime...ha ha..What $50,000???? I remember that one...

[snorpus]

Was it Hulett C. Smith that did time too?

I was sad to hear about Arch... he was "my" congressman when I lived in Wetzel County (back when we had six representatives).