Interstate 81 north
Having spent 324 miles in Virginia, Interstate 81 finally leaves it behind and enters Berkeley County, West Virginia. The combined segment of I-81 in its next two states, West Virginia and Maryland, is 37 miles long. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The highway's speed limit in West Virginia is 70 miles per hour. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The state's first I-81 north reassurance shield is state-named, as is the roadfan term. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
A weigh station for large trucks is just over a mile away. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
There is also a West Virginia welcome center in one mile. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The state notes its fallen veteran and Gold Star support here. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Sam Mason Road crosses over the highway as a sign indicating which traffic must exit when flashing sits to the right. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The welcome center entrance is just ahead. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The area of Inwood sits three miles from here; downtown Martinsburg is in 13 miles; and Hagerstown, Maryland, just across the Potomac River, is in 32 miles. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
More I-81 reassurance follows the welcome center. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The speed limit remains 70. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Accessible from the highway's forthcoming exit, 5, are the historic areas of Harpers Ferry and Gerrardstown. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The exit, intersecting West Virginia Route 51 and leading to Inwood and Charles Town, the latter in neighboring Jefferson County, is one mile from this sign. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Some of the points of interest at exit 5 are listed here. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 5 prepares to leave the highway. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
After the offramp, I-81 approaches WV 51's bridge over the highway. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The onramp from WV 51 is followed by an I-81 shield. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The next exit, Tabler Station Road, is two miles ahead. Martinsburg and Hagerstown are a respective 9 and 28 miles away. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Tabler Station Road is Berkeley County route 32. The exit, 8, is two miles away. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport is off exit 8. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 8 is here. I-81 has a slight curve to the right within the interchange. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
An assortment of trees lines I-81 after the exit. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Martinsburg is approaching, and the three exits most directly serving the city are listed by this green sign. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The highway continues through still more trees. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Multiple hotels are available at the next exit, as shown here. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 12, West Virginia Route 45/eastbound West Virginia Route 9/Winchester Avenue, is a mile ahead. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
A Veterans Affairs medical center is at exit 12. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 12 leaves northbound I-81 as a third lane in each direction opens up. WV 9 runs across the Eastern Panhandle from Paw Paw at the Potomac River across from Maryland, to the Virginia line eight miles east of Charles Town. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
The next three exits, once again serving Martinsburg, are listed here. The highway's median is now a concrete barrier. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
"Historic areas" of Martinsburg can be reached from exit 13. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Some of the services at exit 13 are advertised as the exit nears. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Intersecting King Street and serving downtown Martinsburg, exit 13 is reached. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 14, Berkeley County route 13/Dry Run Road/Tennessee Avenue, is a mile past exit 13. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
As exit 14 approaches, exit 16, WV 9 west/North Queen Street toward Berkeley Springs in nearby Morgan County, sits two miles away. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 14 branches off just ahead. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
A rough patch in the pavement appears before the northbound lanes receive the onramp from Tennessee Avenue. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
I-81 reassurance sits in between exits. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Shepherd University and the town of Hedgesville are accessible from separate offramps at exit 16. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 16E for WV 9 east is half a mile ahead. Photo taken 08-05-2016.
Exit 16E is reached, and exit 16W for WV 9 west follows in a quarter of a mile. Photo taken 08-05-2016.