The Hard Way from Thurmond to Prince, WV: McKendree Road

This is a road I never should have been on. It looks okay on a map - yes, it's actually on AAA's map of West Virginia. But, the road from Thurmond to Prince is a very rough road, with parts of it suitable only for 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
As you watch the video, keep an eye out for low-hanging branches slamming into my Drivelapse camera!
MyDrivelapse.com and Takemytrip.com provide driving videos and stories to help you plan your trip. Check out hundreds of videos on my KZbin channel. Subscribe if you like it! Dozens of new videos are on the way in the coming weeks.
I made this trip in August-September 2017. Video shot with a Brinno TLC-200 Pro time-lapse camera mounted on my roof with a homemade magnetic case. I travel with two Brinno cameras - one facing forward, the other in reverse. Sometimes the reverse camera captures better video (fewer raindrops and bugs hit the rear-view lens).
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Photography: daniel-woodrum.pixels.com
Music Info:
I am running with temporary success from a monstrous vacuum in pursuit
Artist: Chris Zabriskie
chriszabriskie.com
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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[@morrismaupi]

We just drove this road from Thurmond to Prince in my stock manual Subaru Crosstrek. A true adventure, especially the second part after the “rough road” sign in Thayer… made it through without issues, using every bit of the 8.7” ground clearance the Subi has. Nevertheless , it was a bit of a nail biter… thanks for posting!

[@gbosearcher-3686]

I did it twice in my PT Cruiser. Definitely close clearance. I loved the building relics along the sides

[@wordgiesworld5483]

I’ve driven this road once and was passenger once. When I drove it, I was in my ‘97 Wrangler with my then 8 year daughter. It was a spur of the moment trip so I didn’t gas up or buy water. By the time we got to Prince, ours and the Jeep’s tanks were dry. Several years later, the family met at my dad’s house in Glen Jean. My nephew brought his Wrangler and we drove it with my niece and their son, picking berries along the way. I think we were on the road for at least 3 hours with tons of stops along the way. We had a great time and came back with a big ol’ mess of blackboard raspberries. We get back there once a year but I never have had another chance to drive it.

[@ldhmnh]

Whew! I’m exhausted just lying here on my couch watching that trek...

[@Mycroftsbrother]

A tree fall across the road in front of you, and the banjos begin to play........

[@DefiantOffroad]

This is a great trail to tide. I did it in the snow a couple of years ago. It was a fun day!

[@roadwaysofdelaware]

This just proves to me that it's a miracle that "modern roads" are even a thing in West Virginia.

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

I'm surprised the road into Thurmond is paved.

[@michaelwhalen7991]

Awesome drive ! As somebody stuck in Massachusetts it was refreshing to see no houses, people or angry drivers. Wow ,wild and natural....I want to go !

[@writer125]

Just a nice pleasant ride through the woods. You are crazy, willing to drive any road, anywhere. Excellent looking video and a fun trip. Though there was that point when you got out of the car to see if you can make, that you might not. You were right about McKendree road. Thanx for posting that.

[@ladybard]

1. I had family work down there when the coal camps were going. 2. McKendree Rd is a lovely drive for sure. Been through there plenty of times.

[@johnkeadle6091]

The hesitation at the fork in the road at 6:09-6:10 is the right turn down to McKendree, the site of the old miner's hospital: www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/mckendree-hospital.htm Very nicely done and thanks!

[@KES47Brown]

Thank you for clearing that up for me, as teens we were told it was an old TB hospital. We used to go explore the old pieces left of it. So cool to know the history of it now!!

[@twistoffate4791]

Just my kind of road. I love a good gravel road and this one was even dirt & stone. Thank you for posting. I did feel a sense of relief as you navigated the muddy spot, the tree trunk where you got out & prevailed through ALL!!

[@justahillbilly7777]

That looks like *FUN.* Thanks for expanding my bucket list to include one more item.

[@bah5310]

Started up that road today from the Prince side driving a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Got up the high voltage sub station and turned around. Thanks for sharing, I'll go back and do it.

[@JohnWilliams-qu8nr]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I made the McKendree Rd trip from Thurmond to Prince today Sept. 15, 2022 driving a Nissan Rogue......was not a good idea. From Thurmond to about Thayer you'll be OK, but after that it's a total gamble. I had two passengers and felt like I put them in danger! The "road" narrows at Thayer, weeds & brush along edges left uncut. Large tree limbs sticking out and apparently cut but hardly cleaned up by ATV riders. It was a dry week but still experienced many very wet or partially flooded areas. Had to use speed/momentum to get thru.....with no turn around areas. I Do Not recommend this route to anyone not driving a true 4x4 with good ground clearance and prepared with hand saws etc. 12 miles took 1 hrs. 35 mins.

[@buddyward2803]

same thing for us! rented Nissan rogue, made the wrong decision and ended up going down it. better than two hrs in the dark! not fun by any means...

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Paved wagon trails.

[@emodragon4036]

We took this road last night... bad idea. We were touring Thurmond and decided to see where the bridge led and came to this road it was pitch black outside and we were in a small car that sits low to the ground. We totally tore the bottom of the car up but we couldn’t turn back either because some of those rocks are too big to go over the opposite direction. Horrible horrible road... had to google it this morning and found this video. Depicts the road quite well

[@darrenbeck3717]

Just did this a couple days ago in early April. There was a huge land slide that had just started to move a couple feet made the track about 9/10 of a car width. We made it with wheel in the subsidence. Heavy rains days before in Nashville. Road was sketchy for a 4x4 in my novice overland driving experience. No cell service. Bring vhf radio, gps, chainsaw, winch, shovel, pry bar and 2 vechicles.

[@mattb6640]

Yup, I drove it about a year ago when my wife and I were on an overland trip. The washout was pretty sketchy then so I imagine it's only gotten worse. I was in my 2013 FJ cruiser and it scared me because there's nothing stopping you from tumbling down the mountain

[@tawnygreene6230]

Just drove this today in a Ford f150 by accident. I thought we were going to die. Not knowing how much longer or how worse the road gets is scary. It'll definitely make me think twice about taking dirt road near mountain sides. Those drops off the side of some spots are so sketchy. Plus there was a spot where we crossed what was supposed to be a bridge and there was barley any road left. Never again!

[@tawnygreene6230]

@JENNY JONES husband said he would. I absolutely would not! Unless maybe I was in a smaller recreational type vehicle.

[@KES47Brown]

We used to take our car up through there. Once we got to the top we would get out and walk around. We came across old pieces of buildings, random steps (a big set) we always heard it was an old TB hospital. Not sure how true that was but there were still a decent bit of structure you could even walk inside of. We would go at night too. Super spooky. Once we found a flash light on just laying there randomly. In the area of the structures. Have a lot of memories up through there as teenagers.

[@KES47Brown]

Just seen it’s an old miners hospital! So neat!

[@waynespyker5731]

Made the trip in 1991 in my Escort station wagon with railfan Robert Tompkins and wife Evelyn from Conn following in their Camry. Disappointed the video didn't stop at the bridge (6.50) showing the sketchy crossing...... 2 rough sawn planks for each wheel track! Evy road guided both cars across casism. Had seen the school bus coming down the mountain delivering kids in Prince!

[@HotspotsSoutheast]

My wife and I drove that road once. It was an adventure.

[@clovis-ti1yv]

Pretty scenery. Looks more like a hiking trail than a road suitable for motor vehicles. Then again I would try that on a motorcycle with good weather. My little Honda Civic would get stuck.

[@fredwood1490]

Pure old fashioned West Virginia. I'd have been on the old logging road about one minute before I would found a place to turn around and get the H out of there! There used to be big trucks driving those things, big trucks loaded with logs or coal. glad you didn't meet one of them!

[@zenseed75]

In the 90s, me & the bff would get high and take this drive, listening to the eagles. In 1993, a girl from school died when they pulled over and the side of the road collapsed. 😿

[@sunshineyellow]

wow, this is some indiana jones type stuff. good video

[@k.l.wiseman1778]

Been across many times. There are times when it gets bad or trees fall across the road. And nowhere to turn around. A few of the houses near the end.. scary. 😵😂

[@jason4554123]

Thanks man, planning on visit WV soon.

[@parkersburgslawnranger3720]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bekleidungu.ausrustung7068]

Nice!!!

[@elizabethlengle2746]

We "survived" McKendree Road last month! What an experience! So happy that we can say "been there, done that!" LOL

[@tawnygreene6230]

It should be a bumper sticker! I survived McKendree Rd!

[@chrisphillips4859]

Wild wonderful West Virginia#!!!!

[@chrisphillips4859]

Looks like my ride to school. Every morning back in the day.

[@shell201274]

Well, had I known what I know now!!!!! OMG!! We survived ! Rode this on street bikes by accident. It got to the point that we were already too far invested to turn around. It continued to go from bad to worse! Definitely in worse shape now and our camera doesn't come close to showing how bad it really was! Never again! I wouldn't even do it on a 4 wheeler or side by side!

[@buddyward2803]

been there, done that, never again thank you. we were in a rented nissan rogue, and the sun went down half way thru the trip.....never so glad to see pavement in my life!

[@OhioRick1]

I have started this road twice. Once from each end. I turned around coming from Turmond at McKendree area the first time and at the power station coming from Prince the second time. This coming weekend, even though there is heavy snow forecast, we are planning on driving in from Prince to Dowdy Creek to photograph the waterfalls there. I don't plan on trying this for a fourth time, so it's now or never. 2005 Toyota Tundra 4WD should do the trick.

[@loyevangelists]

thanks for the post!

[@garyford2039]

Drove it this last summer 2020

[@sonicCherryBell]

At first I was like 'ah its just a country dirt road' but then later on, wow. Yea you are right, that is pretty rough for a marked road.

[@nomoremr.niceguy4778]

Man that’s not marked for beans. Starts out like many roads out here in Northern PA but at least we got sign posts out in the boonies. State DCNR keeps them marked. You could make a wrong turn and lose the car.

[@Lurch214]

Was bored and went down this road in my pickup on new Year 2022. Running out of light as I passed Thayer from Thermond. It rained and was a little muddy but not bad. Got to the little bridge at 6:50 in the video that seemed a little scetchy and in pitch dark. Decided to turn around at that point. Would like to try again in the day. Nice litte adventure.

[@dinauchiha3924]

Thrilling, exciting and rose my anxiety levels haha! I was wondering on a scale from 1-10 how scary was that trip and would u ever consider doing it again? Personally its scary and exciting haha! But I'd never do it! Love ur channel!

[@takemytrip]

Not really scary, except for worrying about damaging my car, and being annoyed by all the time I was wasting on that road. Roads with steep drops and no guardrails are much more scary :)

[@dinauchiha3924]

takemytripdotcom Ah I see! Thanks for the input! You earned a new subscriber today! Have a good one!

[@tawnygreene6230]

We did this today by accident in a Ford f150 I seriously had a panic attack. Husband thought it was fun I thought I was going to die. I'd never do it again. Lol

[@dinauchiha3924]

@@tawnygreene6230 😲Oh my goodness!!! That's so wild!! Glad you guys were safe tho!

[@johnathanlewis7059]

You call those roads? Hell they’ve just off road trails. Looks hella dangerous. Definitely 4 she’ll drive territory.

[@chrislewis6488]

Ned Beatty wouldn't approve of this

[@billbergendahl2911]

I would hate for my vehicle to break down on a road like that.

[@filianablanxart8305]

I initially thought I really need to drive this road . But a few minutes later remembered that I Have driven this road before , ( mumble) years ago , from Prince to Thurmond . The history and concept of WV unmaintained to minimally maintained numbered routes is a subject in itself . There are more than a few that no longer physically exist , in stretches being totally indistinguishable from the surrounding forests . And others that are more * adventuresome * than actual USFS 4X4 Trails . But this is just a typical gravel road .

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

What is the abundances of route numbers with / in them. Like the road into Thurmond, Beury Mountain Road, is labeled as 25/2. Is that a sub-road of 25? Like how 295 is an offshoot of I-95 that runs through NJ?

[@samanthab1923]

Sorry it was such a rough ride. I always thought there was no way in except the RR back in the day. So I can see the roads being an after thought.

[@blindalwilson]

Many years ago a friend and I met a school bus coming from the other direction on that road.

[@OhioRick1]

It's amazing where they drive buses in WV. I met one on the rail grade from Woods Ferry Crossing to the tunnel where Gauley River meets Meadow River. Just going down the hill at Woods Ferry and making the turn at the river was impermeable to me. I have not idea how they got that bus in there, but they haul rafters down there all the time.

[@Cog_In_The_Gear]

What were you recording with? Do you have a gpx file from this? I'd love to turn this into a bike ride!

[@larrym.johnson9219]

I think it a good idea.

[@yetiman72]

I was think the same thing....Gravel route

[@Cog_In_The_Gear]

@@yetiman72 Here ya go. Strava isn’t perfect but this should do… www.strava.com/routes/2845108709801890414

[@loyevangelists]

how long did it actually take you to get across that road? what do you do if someone is coming the other way?

[@tawnygreene6230]

Took us an hour I believe and we did meet one car and thankfully we were near a spot they could get over just enough. Scary as shit!

[@josephconsoli4128]

God bless people that are born and raised in these places and love it, but, being raised in the burbs of NYC, driving through these rural places scares the life out of me. I think of every crummy horror movie I've ever seen. During the day it's bad enough, but at night it's black as India ink. You better hope that machine you're in doesn't decide to become difficult!

[@filianablanxart8305]

And now , cue up all the people from WV ( and multitude of other rural- ish areas ) for who is this just an average gravel road . And for whom the idea of New York City scares the life out of them , albeit for real life reasoning , instead of fantasies from bad movies .

[@josephconsoli4128]

@@filianablanxart8305 It's true, but I lived in two small towns for a short time and not only is the creep factor higher, but you get a lot of drugs, misfits, and illiteracy. I watched documentaries on Appalachia and it's not Mayberry by a long shot.

[@bignuts850]

How fast are u going Watch out for that deer

[@casssmith2610]

We just did it in a two wheel drive Jeep. Barely survived!!

[@buck50002001]

What kind of vehicle? Rode that whole road 30 years ago from Prince to Thurmond and back on horses with my grandpa when I was a teenager. Took all day and about killed me on a cheap saddle. It was a reddog road then and a little wider. I remember passing a house where someone still lived then. There was a pony tied in the front yard. On the left going toward Thurmond.

[@jason4554123]

Must be the time when the coal towns were still in its great years.

[@huskerhank6231]

I wouldn't hesitate to take my Nissan Versa on this road. A LOT of curves, a lot of puddles that looked like they had a few inches of water but with a firm bottom. Some easily avoidable rocks embedded in the road and a rock fall that did require some first hand inspection. Didn't feel or hear any washboard. I have been up and down a lot of back roads here in Colorado without a scratch. It depends on your comfort level. And if aren't sure get OUT and LOOK. Its a road not a macho exercise and there is no shame in calling it quits.

[@euayusjwks]

I drive a Nissan Versa and live in West Virginia and have been on backroads such as these and I agree

[@DocShickley]

Had a similar experience in the area going to a campsite for a Cheat River adventure maybe in 1972-74 ? Rad was a logging road. Not as nice as the "gravelled up" Thurmond-Prince superhighway, but took a good long time in my 1964 Rambler American 2-door hardtop with the sweet flop-down seat twin beds. Oh the glory days. Made it. Camped and floated the Cheat (Cheats Death is real name) river. Oh the stories.

[@sharrontaylor4744]

Better slow down there Hershel 😲🤤😲🤤😰😨😨😨😲😲😲!

[@ladycheyne5607]

How many miles is this?

[@k.l.wiseman1778]

If you meet anyone, someone has a long long back up.

[@browningbelgium2326]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

thats where Jimmy Hoffa is....

[@JakeStrange66]

Not something you'd wanna drive on every day, but that ain't bad. 4 wheel drive wouldn't be necessary except sometimes in winter maybe. I've been on worse roads - actually live near a few - that I've taken with FWD. & It's not a bad idea to know how to use a chainsaw & have one with you on some of these roads. ...a tree could be lying across the road & by the time some else can get there to cut it & move it, you could have already done it yourself.😂

[@vaynerdplace]

Took this road from Thurmond to Prince last night having no idea it was even a gravel road. Turned around 2 miles after Thayer and noticed that I popped a tire. Thought about the Wrong Turn movies while I plugged the hole in the tire at 1 AM. No AT&T service and I doubt you could get a tow truck to help you out here. We had a 4runner and didn't have to use 4wd. Anybody know other roads like this?

[@vaynerdplace]

@Radar I’ll have to check it out next time

[@OhioRick1]

Helvetia Adolph Rd between Kumbrabow and Holly River State Parks is always fun. Bring a chainsaw.

[@colleendavidson1820]

Is this a one way?

[@bowlsie5668]

Two ways. Just get over as far as you can to one side (sometimes have to back up a bit) and let the other vehicle pass through.

[@kentroberts8853]

MT biked it .....

[@terrybaker7412]

FUQQQQ that road. Just drove it on June 27th. Never again. After you pass the sign that says rough road ahead, fasten your braw straps. Its all bad. Perfect for a side by side. Other than that. Naww. Never again. Some wrong turn stuff up there

[@bneary234]

Sadly the road washed out just past Thayer and will not be replaced

[@johnflan4]

Brion Neary My wife and I traveled it last week 7/16 (not having any foreknowledge about the route), and made it through with my Forrester. Many areas between Thayer and Prince have had gravel laid down fairly recently. It is a large grade of stone, and you could sink in if you are not careful. I did not see any washouts. There are several other Co. 25 sub routes over the mountain that may have been in poorer condition though, but the route shown in this video is passable with 4x4 or AWD if it has been dry like July has been. Still not a recommended journey for the fain of heart.

[@bneary234]

@@johnflan4 Yes I was there about a month ago and they were working on putting new gravel down, i also was in a 4x4 and its not comfortable, I'm talking about on the other side of Thayer towards Thurmond it washed out and I also found a fresh (large) tree limb just before the wash out that I used my hatchet to get through

[@bowlsie5668]

@@bneary234 The wash out from Thurmond to Thayer/vice versa, has been cleared and repaired.

[@chrisphillips4859]

But really you should slow down it's not a one way you know!!!!

[@midnightrider715]

Why don't you just slow the dawn thing down a little bit!!!!!!!

[@takemytrip]

This was shot with a time-lapse camera so it can't be slowed, unfortunately. I don't use that camera anymore, and my more recent videos are in real-time, so I hope you'll check them out!

[@melfaya]

I gave this video a “thumbs down” because it’s being played in fast motion. 🫤