Roanoke to Davis: A Road Trip Through the Allegheny Highlands

The drive from Roanoke, VA to Davis, WV covers roughly 270 miles (435 km) along US-220 and US-48/Corridor H, taking about 4.5–5 hours without stops. This route crosses the Eastern Continental Divide at an elevation of 3,500 feet near the boundary of Virginia and West Virginia, a little-known hydrographic apex where water flows to the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.

The journey begins in the Roanoke Valley, passes through the historic town of Monterey, VA, and climbs into the highlands of the Monongahela National Forest. Davis, WV sits at an elevation of 3,800 feet, making it one of the highest incorporated towns east of the Mississippi. The route is dominated by US-220 north, then US-48 (the Appalachian Corridor H) through the rugged Allegheny Mountains. For a deeper look at how to discover hidden gems along any route, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The route is safe overall, but the two-lane sections of US-220 on the Allegheny Front have no hard shoulders. Deer crossings are frequent at dawn and dusk, especially between Monterey and Franklin. Use high beams where allowed, and watch for logging trucks. In winter, snowplow turnouts are available every 2–5 miles on US-48.

Family-friendly stops: The “Allegheny Trail” trailhead at Bear Rocks (off FR-19) offers a short 0.5-mile boardwalk trail with views of the Dolly Sods plateau. For a longer hike, the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center has interactive exhibits about climbing and geology. Restrooms and picnic tables are available at the Gatewood rest area on US-48 near mile marker 10 (WV side).

• Fatigue management: The most monotonous section is US-220 between Franklin and Moorefield (40 miles of winding road with few pull-offs). Stop at the “Upper Tract Pier” (a historic covered bridge) to stretch.
• Pet-friendly framework: The Blackwater Falls State Park allows leashed pets on all trails except the swimming area. The Davis town park has a dedicated dog run.
• Meal breaks: Roanoke’s “The Scratch Biscuit” for breakfast, Moorefield’s “Smokehouse BBQ” for lunch, and Sirianni’s Cafe in Davis for dinner (known for wood-fired pizza and craft beer).

Infrastructure safety: 911 service is reliable in towns but spotty in between. The “ReadyWV” app provides offline maps and emergency contacts. Cellular coverage (Verizon, AT&T) is strong on most of US-220 but drops below 2 bars from the state line to Moorefield. Download offline maps for the route.

Hidden off-route spots: Take a 10-minute detour from US-220 onto VA-678 to see the “Humpback Bridge” near Covington, a 4-arch stone bridge built in 1830. Another hidden gem: the “Ghost town of Shawvers Run”, a 1900s mining camp reachable via FR-14 from Parsons (high-clearance vehicle only).

• Culture: The annual “Pendleton County Maple Festival” in Franklin (mid-April) features pancake breakfasts and tree tapping demonstrations.
• Commerce: The “Mountain Top General Store” in Davis sells local jams, honey, and hand-knitted woolens—a perfect souvenir stop.

The most direct route is US-220 north from Roanoke to Franklin, WV, then west on US-33 to US-48/Corridor H north to Davis. US-220 is a two-lane highway with sections of passing lanes. US-48 is a modern divided highway with a 65 mph limit, but it is still under construction in places, with occasional single-lane sections and traffic lights in Parsons, WV.

Fuel stations are sparse between Monterey, VA and Moorefield, WV—about an 80-mile stretch. Fill up in Roanoke or at the Exxon in Monterey (mile marker 22 on US-220). In West Virginia, fuel is available in Moorefield and Parsons. Electric vehicle charging is limited, with only a Level 2 charger at the Canaan Valley Resort near Davis. Plan to charge in Staunton, VA (Exit 227 on I-81) before heading west.

• Estimated fuel cost: $25–$35 for a midsize sedan.
• Tolls: None.
• Roadside assistance: AAA coverage is strong in VA, but limited in remote sections of WV.
• Time check: Leaves Roanoke at 8:00 AM, arrives Davis by 1:00 PM with one 30-min break.

Road quality: US-220 in Virginia is well-maintained with moderate curves. Once past Monterey, the road narrows and forest edges creep close to the pavement. In winter, snow is common above 3,000 feet—check local DOT sites for conditions. US-48 is smooth except for a 10-mile gravel section near the WV/VA border (currently under construction, expected completion in 2026).

Best time to drive: October for fall foliage, or mid-May for wildflowers. Summer afternoons bring isolated storms in the Alleghenies. Winter driving requires snow tires or chains—black ice is prevalent on shaded curves of US-220.

From Roanoke, the route follows the Shenandoah Valley for 30 miles, with views of the Blue Ridge to the east and the Alleghenies to the west. Near Monterey, the valley narrows into a gap known as the Virginia Pony Pasture, a 1,600-acre preserve of rocky glades and wild ponies that have roamed since the 10th century.

At Franklin, WV, the South Branch of the Potomac River appears—a classic trout stream and part of the Potomac Headwaters. Hidden gem: take a 2-mile detour east on WV-28 to the “Smoke Hole” canyon, a narrow gorge renowned for its 500-foot sandstone cliffs and ice caves.

• Natural highlights: Seneca Rocks (detour on US-33/US-48), Blackwater Falls (5 miles south of Davis), Dolly Sods Wilderness (off FR-19).
• Cultural spots: Highland County Maple Museum (Monterey), Pendleton County Visitor Center (Franklin).
• Local commerce: Buy homemade apple butter at the Monterey Farmers Market (Saturday mornings), or pottery from the MountainMade Studio in Davis.

UNESCO sites: None directly on route, but the “Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville” (UNESCO) is a 75-minute detour east from Roanoke. However, the route does pass through the Shenandoah Valley, which is part of the proposed “Virginia’s Blue Ridge” UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Climatic conditions: The drive ranges from humid subtropical (Roanoke, 1,200 ft elevation) to humid continental (Davis, 3,800 ft). Expect temperature drops of 10–15°F between start and end. In spring, the dogwood and redbud bloom in the valley by early May, while the highlands are still frost-prone. Fall color peaks in early October in the mountains, two weeks earlier than Roanoke.