U.S. Route 60 (US 60) runs northwest to southeast across the central and southern portions of West Virginia. It runs from the Kentucky state line at Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and Kenova. The road passes through Huntington, Charleston, and White Sulphur Springs. The route exits the state into Virginia, running concurrently with Interstate 64 (I-64) east of White Sulphur Springs. Most of US 60's route through West Virginia is part of and even signed in several areas as the Midland Trail, a National Scenic Byway.
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The Midland Trail is a National Scenic Byway which follows US 60 through a portion of the Southern West Virginia between Charleston and Sam Black Church. It was part of the longer transcontinental Midland Trail. In this area, the Midland Trail follows the route of the historic James River and Kanawha Turnpike, an early road linking canals in the James River in Virginia with the navigable portion of the Kanawha River in West Virginia.[citation needed]
The Midland Trail crosses some of the most rugged terrain of the Mountain State. The trail extends for approximately 100 miles (160 km) from White Sulphur Springs in the east to Charleston in the west. The trail is believed to have been originally carved into the mountains by buffalo and native peoples. In 1790, George Washington ordered the trail cleared. The trail came to be traveled by stage coaches and soldiers in the Civil War.[citation needed]
Prior to 1988, the Midland Trail was heavily traveled, particularly by commercial vehicles, including large trucks transporting coal and timber. Traffic was significantly reduced in 1988 when the final section of I-64 was completed.[citation needed]
Although considerably shorter than the Interstate Highway routing via the West Virginia Turnpike, these days, the Midland Trail serves mostly local traffic and shunpikers seeking a bucolic interlude. [citation needed] It passes through both the Kanawha River Valley and the plateau high above. Due to the mountain switchbacks and long, steep grades, drivers of recreational vehicles and inexperienced drivers are advised to use extra caution, particularly during inclement weather conditions.[citation needed]