Major city · United States
SuttonSutton, West Virginia
Give Sutton one night, two if you fish or boat: it is an I-79 halfway stop between Charleston and Clarksburg, not a sightseeing base.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice and closed seasonal sites)
- Airports
- CRW · CKB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Sutton is a small Braxton County town of about 1,000 people sitting next to Sutton Lake, at the geographic centre of West Virginia. Almost everything here is outdoors or roadside: a 1,500-acre lake and dam, a Civil War battlefield, a 1930s Main Street cinema and a factory-outlet strip at the Flatwoods interstate exit. It works as a half-way overnight on I-79, or a weekend from Charleston or Morgantown for lake and river country.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sutton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime small town; the real risks are rural driving at night, deer on I-79 and US-19, and cold water at the lake outside summer.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 304-765-2949 Braxton County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 304-765-2101 West Virginia State Police, Sutton detachment
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCRW West Virginia International Yeager, Charleston (About 1 h 15 min south on I-79; the usual arrival airport.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or diner breakfast$6–14
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main course$14–32
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedCampground tent or RV lot, a night, per personUS$25
- Mid-range bedRoadside motel double room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedRoadside motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CRW West Virginia International Yeager, Charleston (About 1 h 15 min south on I-79; the usual arrival airport.) · CKB North Central West Virginia, Clarksburg (About 1 h north on I-79; smaller, fewer flights.)
Weather and climate
Sutton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C41°F
−5°C23°F
14 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
−4°C25°F
12 rd
Mar
13°C55°F
0°C32°F
13 rd
Apr
19°C66°F
5°C41°F
13 rd
May
24°C75°F
10°C50°F
13 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
15°C59°F
12 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
17°C63°F
13 rd
Aug
29°C84°F
16°C61°F
11 rd
Sep
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
9 rd
Oct
19°C66°F
6°C43°F
9 rd
Nov
13°C55°F
1°C34°F
11 rd
Dec
7°C45°F
−3°C27°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. I-79 and US-19 meet here, and the lake, Bulltown and the outlet strip are 5–15 min apart by road. Two local cab firms cover short hops; there is no useful bus network.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Summersville
goDoor to door: About 40 min
US-19 south by car
Lake and Gauley River country; easy half-day.
Weston
goDoor to door: About 40 min
I-79 north by car
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum tours; pair with a museum stop.
Clarksburg
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-79 north by car
Bigger town with the nearest larger airport and more dining.
Richwood
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
US-19 south then WV-39 east by car
Mountain roads; go only in daylight and clear weather.
Clay
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
WV-4 south by car
Rural route with few services; fill the tank first.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sutton Lane / Flatwoods exit (I-79 exit 67)
Chain motels, the big Days Hotel, KOA camping and the outlet stores; easiest with a car and bags.
Downtown Sutton
Small motels and the historic Main Street within walking distance; quiet at night.
Gassaway
Two miles west across I-79; Microtel and the Elk River Railroad stop.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Roadside motel double room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$55 · check | US$55 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of local driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$227 per person per day, bed included | US$453 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or diner breakfast | $6–14 |
| Diner or buffet lunch | $10–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, main course | $14–32 |
| Movie ticket at the Elk Theater | $6 (check) |
| Campground lot, per night | $25–55 (check) |
| Boat launch or lake day-use | often free; check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between the lake, downtown and the interstate are longer than they look on a map: drive, do not walk.
- Seasonal sites such as Bulltown Historic District and some outlet stores close or cut hours outside mid-May to mid-October: check before you go.
- Cell coverage thins out on the back roads around the lake and Burnsville.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Braxton County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 304-765-2949
- West Virginia State Police, Sutton detachment
- 304-765-2101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SuttonSutton, West Virginia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Braxton County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-765-2949
Embassy
No embassies here; nearest consulates are in Washington, DC or New York. US travellers: 911 and local numbers above.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, downtown Sutton → Flatwoods exit: about $15–25, 10 min (check)
- Drive, Charleston airport → Sutton: about 1 h 15 min on I-79 (check)
- Drive, Clarksburg airport → Sutton: about 1 h on I-79 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the boat ramp? — Where is the boat ramp?
- Is the lake open for swimming today? — Is the lake open for swimming today?
- How far to the interstate? — How far to the interstate?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Print or screenshot this card; cell signal is patchy on back roads.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sutton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice and closed seasonal sites) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CRW and CKB: last sensible drive times, rental-car desks, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Sutton, Sutton Lake and dam, Flatwoods exit 67, Gassaway.
- Place pages with verified hours and season windows (Bulltown, Elk Theater, Mountain Lakes Amphitheater, outlet stores).
- Lake-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green: boat ramp, marina, swim area, weather cutoff.