Sometimes the best adventures can happen when you choose a road and follow it from beginning to end. One particular road full of hidden gems is West Virginia’s Route 2. This state route is even the subject of a poem, Driving Up the Ohio River on Route 2 in Late Fall, by Larry Smith. You can take your own poetic trip this fall. All you need is a car and a plan. Click here for an interactive map, or skip the plan and be surprised at where the road takes you.

The road runs parallel to the Ohio River from Huntington to Chester.

Google Maps

The road begins in Huntington at the Guyandotte River, and travels along the Ohio River.

WikiMedia Commons/Wvfunnyman

Shortly after Huntington, you’ll see the odd-looking Hillbilly Hotdogs by the side of the road in the little town of Lesage.

WikiMedia Commons/Youngamerican These hot dogs are famous! They’ve even been featured on The Food Network. Grab a few for the road, since you have a busy trip ahead.

You’ll then pass through the Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area.

WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell The area is home to some uncommon animals, and also has recreational facilities.

A bit farther up the road, you’ll cross the Bartow Jones Bridge over the Kanawha River into the town of Point Pleasant.

WikiMedia Commons/Nyttend

Point Pleasant became famous after several sightings of a strange giant moth-like creature, and it’s worth a stop to see the Mothman statue and museum.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

From here, the road gets rather rural for several miles.

WikiMedia Commons/Stratosphere Enjoy the natural scenery!

It then merges with I-77, and you can pick up speed for a while.

WikiMedia Commons/Famartin

Shortly after Route 2 breaks off again from I-77, you’ll see the Pleasants Power Station.

WikiMedia Commons/ It’s fascinating to look at now, but this power station was the site of the deadliest construction accident in United States history.

Soon after, you’ll reach the small town of St. Marys.

WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser The town is remarkable as one of the few places in the US with train tracks that share a road with cars. Take a slight detour to 2nd street, and you might get the chance to see a train drive by. Read more about this fascinating town here.

North of St Marys is the city of Moundsville.

WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser The city was named for the nearby ancient Grave Creek Mound, constructed by indigenous people of the Adena culture around 250 to 100 BC. It was used as a burial place.

Also worth a visit in Moundsville is the West Virginia State Penitentiary.

WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser This deadly prison was the site of many executions and murders, and some believe that it’s still haunted. The prison no longer holds inmates, and now offers tours to the public.

Just after Moundsvillle, you’ll come to the city of Wheeling.

WikiMedia Commons/Nyttend Route 2 passes by some beautiful historic buildings, like the Riverside Iron Works Office Building. Built in the 1800s, it served as the headquarters for the local leading steel manufacturers.

Finally, Route 2 ends at the city of Chester.

WikiMedia Commons/Kurtsampsel While you’re in Chester, check out the World’s Largest Teapot!

Have you seen any of the attractions along Route 2? We’d love to hear about it.

Google Maps

WikiMedia Commons/Wvfunnyman

WikiMedia Commons/Youngamerican

These hot dogs are famous! They’ve even been featured on The Food Network. Grab a few for the road, since you have a busy trip ahead.

WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell

The area is home to some uncommon animals, and also has recreational facilities.

WikiMedia Commons/Nyttend

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

WikiMedia Commons/Stratosphere

Enjoy the natural scenery!

WikiMedia Commons/Famartin

WikiMedia Commons/

It’s fascinating to look at now, but this power station was the site of the deadliest construction accident in United States history.

WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser

The town is remarkable as one of the few places in the US with train tracks that share a road with cars. Take a slight detour to 2nd street, and you might get the chance to see a train drive by. Read more about this fascinating town here.

The city was named for the nearby ancient Grave Creek Mound, constructed by indigenous people of the Adena culture around 250 to 100 BC. It was used as a burial place.

This deadly prison was the site of many executions and murders, and some believe that it’s still haunted. The prison no longer holds inmates, and now offers tours to the public.

Route 2 passes by some beautiful historic buildings, like the Riverside Iron Works Office Building. Built in the 1800s, it served as the headquarters for the local leading steel manufacturers.

WikiMedia Commons/Kurtsampsel

While you’re in Chester, check out the World’s Largest Teapot!

For more great road trips around the state, check out these eight unforgettable road trips you’ll want to take in West Virginia before you die.

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