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.
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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sutton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Braxton County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-765-2949
- West Virginia State Police, Sutton detachment304-765-2101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
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.
Show all 12 answers
- 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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
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°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
14 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
12 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
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 & doDay-trips, door to door
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 & sleepWhich area to sleep in
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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 diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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.