The Parkersburg Commute Guide: Steep streets and river crossings
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Parkersburg really takes.
Hannah, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Hannah is a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of the hills is undefeated. She has lived in both northern and south central West Virginia, moved more times than she can count during college, and knows Charleston well enough to give directions using landmarks instead of street names. She writes fiction, spins yarn into sweaters, drinks Charleston coffee like its a personality trait, and somehow keeps four pets fed. Editing West Virginia guides comes naturally when you know the people shine... even when the sun does not.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Parkersburg?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
Roughly 15 minutes (a tad longer if you hit red lights or construction)
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
The Walmart parking lot on literally any day that ends in the letter Y, out by Grand Central Plaza
Ability to get around without a car
Technically possible if you don't mind breaking a sweat, but this city is definitely more commuter-friendly
Locals dream of driving around in a
Lifted F-250 with American flags and Mountaineer or Marshall Herd vanity plates
The reality is that most locals drive
A 2009 Honda CR-V with a dented bumper and questionable alignment, sedans, SUVs for getting kids to and from school
Quirky local driving habit
Treating yellow lights as gentle suggestions to floor it before it turns red again
The likelihood of finding parking
Embarrassingly easy compared to other downtowns in WV (though there's no major college stadium to worry about)
#1 driving tip
Learn to let your neighbors merge lanes in front of you - they may just return the favor!
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
The Carnegie Library is a great escape, especially if you want to spend a calm day indoors. Libraries are full of free things to enjoy, from books to movies, music, and more. This location has a lot of history, too; it's on the National Register of Historic Places.
— Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Parkersburg Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Parkersburg guide for the bigger picture.