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North AmericaUnited StatesWest Virginia

Charleston

West Virginia, United States · North America

About Charleston

Charleston sits on the route: 10 minutes from South Charleston, 58km from New River Gorge National Park.

Charleston is a town located in West Virginia, United States. With a population of 46,838, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Charleston sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/New York time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Charleston to your route.

About Charleston

Charleston () is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, it is the county seat of Kanawha County. The population was 48,864 at the 2020 census (estimated at 46,482 in 2024). The Charleston metropolitan area has approximately

Read more 203,000 residents. Charleston was established in the late 18th century and formally incorporated in 1794, with the trustees being Daniel Boone, Leonard Morris, and William Morris. The city gained prominence in the 19th century with the growth of the salt industry and later expanded due to coal mining and the first natural gas well. After West Virginia separated from Virginia, Charleston became the permanent state capital in 1885. Its economy and infrastructure further evolved in the 20th century with the rise of chemical manufacturing and public sector employment. Charleston is the home of the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and the annual 15-mile (24 km) Charleston Distance Run. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are in the city. West Virginia State University is in the area, as are West Virginia University and Marshall University satellite campuses.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Charleston

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Charleston offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Charleston?

Plan your road trip to Charleston with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Charleston as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Charleston located?

Charleston is located in West Virginia, United States, North America. The coordinates are 38.3498 latitude, -81.6326 longitude.

What is the population of Charleston?

Charleston has a population of approximately 46,838 people, making it a town in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
46,838
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
West Virginia
Timezone
America/New_York
Coordinates
38.3498, -81.6326

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesWest VirginiaTown

Worth the detour from Charleston

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

national park

New River Gorge National Park

America's newest national park featuring one of the oldest rivers in the world, world-class whitewater rafting, and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Charleston.

South Charleston

🇺🇸 United States

6 km awayPop. 13,045

Dunbar

🇺🇸 United States

9 km awayPop. 7,659

Rand

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 1,631

Coal Fork

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 1,233

Marmet

🇺🇸 United States

13 km awayPop. 1,450

Pinch

🇺🇸 United States

15 km awayPop. 3,262

Belle

🇺🇸 United States

15 km awayPop. 1,211

Cross Lanes

🇺🇸 United States

16 km awayPop. 9,995

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence