Sunset at a mountain overlook on the drive up to Snowshoe

Getting here from Charlotte

Charlotte to Snowshoe

one interstate, one river valley

Charlotte is a long, simple day: I-77 north the whole way through Statesville, Wytheville, Bluefield, and Princeton to Beckley, about three and a half hours of interstate, including the East River Mountain tunnel. At Beckley, I-64 east to Lewisburg, then US-219 north up the Greenbrier valley through Marlinton to Slatyfork. The last 70 miles are two-lane and worth the trip on their own. The resort's printed directions leave I-64 one exit later at White Sulphur Springs for WV-92 north, which is straighter and takes about the same time.

Drive time

5.5 to 6 hours

from uptown, normal conditions, no stops

Distance

about 300 to 320 miles

to the Village at 4,848 feet

Check-in

4:00 PM

your code works whenever you arrive

Live road conditions, WV 511 ↗Summit forecast All routes and airports

The route

The way people actually go

Put Snowshoe Mountain Resort in the GPS for the long part. Once you pass the Route 66 turn in Slatyfork, switch to the exact pin we send you; street addresses on the mountain resolve to the resort entrance, not the door.

The other way

The resort's own directions: stay on I-64 past Lewisburg to White Sulphur Springs, exit 181, WV-92 north to Rimel, WV-39 west to Marlinton, then US-219 north. WV-92 is straighter than US-219 over Droop Mountain, with passing lanes, and the map apps rate it within minutes. Some regulars stay on WV-92 all the way to Cass and climb WV-66 up the back of the mountain; not in snow.

1
I-77 north from Charlotte through Statesville and Wytheville (I-77 and I-81 share the road for a few miles there) into West Virginia.
2
I-77 north through Princeton to Beckley, exit 121 for I-64 east.
3
I-64 east to Lewisburg, exit 169, then US-219 north.
4
US-219 north through Frankford, Hillsboro, and Marlinton to Slatyfork, about 70 miles of two-lane. Turn right onto Route 66 at Par Mar and climb 15 minutes.

Where to stop

The last grocery, the last gas, the climb

In order. There is one small grocery on the mountain and no gas at all, so the tank and the first night's dinner get sorted on the way in.

Every stop, with hours

1 · Last full grocery
Pocahontas IGA, Marlinton
US-219 (Seneca Trail) on the north side of Marlinton, about 30 to 40 minutes south of the resort
The only full grocery in Marlinton and the last one from the south: meat counter, produce, deli. Marlinton also has a Marathon and an Exxon on US-219 and a pharmacy; it is the last real town on this side.
2 · Last gas
Lewisburg, Marlinton, then Par Mar
The Walmart on US-219 just north of the I-64 exit in Lewisburg has everything; Marlinton has a Marathon and an Exxon on US-219; Par Mar at Slatyfork is the last stop
There is no gas on the mountain. Fill in Lewisburg or Marlinton so the tank is full for the week.
3 · The climb
Route 66, the climb
From Par Mar to the resort gate, about 15 minutes
Steady, winding, paved, plowed the whole way, with a few switchbacks. Route 66 Restaurant and Board Shop at the bottom is the last meal below the mountain; nothing else is open on the way up. Drive it in daylight the first time.
4 · On the mountain
Wildcat Grocery
At the Village, a five-minute walk from the Summit condos
Also listed on some map apps as Wildcat Grocery, same store. Milk, eggs, bread, some produce and meat, hot coffee, and the biggest beer cave on the mountain. Resort prices. Hours shrink in the closed seasons.

Best arrival time

Be on the mountain road in daylight

Leave Charlotte by 9am for the 4pm check-in with a stop in Lewisburg or Marlinton. In winter, leave by 8am; sunset at Snowshoe is about 5pm and the last two hours are two-lane.

Cell service fades on US-219 and most of the climb. Download offline maps and our check-in message before you leave, and send the "almost there" text from Par Mar, the last reliable bar of signal.

Parking at our homes

Winter notes

From Charlotte in ski season

the last ten miles are the trip

Whichever way you come, you end the drive climbing about 2,000 feet on a plowed two-lane road. Here is what we tell every winter guest, plus the parts that are specific to your route.

WV 511 road conditions ↗Roads and tires

I-77 through the East River Mountain tunnel and over Flat Top near Beckley gets snow before the lowlands do; it is interstate, but slow down.
US-219 from Lewisburg to Marlinton crosses Droop Mountain. It is two-lane, plowed, and open all winter, with deer at dusk. Skip the WV-92 ending through Cass in snow; the WV-66 climb from Cass is the steep one.
The last 10 miles climb about 2,000 feet from the valley to the Village at 4,848 feet. It snows at the top when it rains at the base.
AWD or 4WD with real tread is the honest recommendation from December to March. The resort plows and treats the road; in six seasons no guest has needed chains. Keep a set in the trunk if it makes you feel better.
Check WV 511 for live plow and closure status before you leave, and again at your last stop with signal.
Aim to reach the bottom of the climb before dark. Winter sunset at Snowshoe is about 5pm. Your door code works whenever you arrive, so a late, slow climb beats a fast one.

Questions

Charlotte to Snowshoe FAQ

Anything else, . We answer within the hour, and we would rather you ask than guess on a mountain road.

How long is the drive from Charlotte to Snowshoe?

About 5.5 to 6 hours from uptown in normal conditions with no stops, about 300 to 320 miles: I-77 north to Beckley, I-64 east to Lewisburg, US-219 north through Marlinton to Slatyfork, then the climb. Add an hour in snow.

What is the best route from Charlotte to Snowshoe in winter?

I-77 north to Beckley, I-64 east to Lewisburg, then US-219 north. It is interstate until the last 70 miles and US-219 is plowed and open all winter. Skip the WV-92 ending through Cass in snow; the climb from Cass is the steep one.

Where do I stop for groceries between Charlotte and Snowshoe?

The Walmart on US-219 just north of the I-64 exit in Lewisburg is the big stop. Pocahontas IGA on US-219 in Marlinton is the last full grocery, about 30 to 40 minutes south of the resort. Wildcat Grocery at the Village covers basics.

Coming from somewhere else?