West Virginia Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide

Virginia and West Virginia share the longest border between the two states. Virginia wraps around West Virginia on two sides—the east and south—because West Virginia separated from Virginia during the Civil War in 1863.

The West Virginia-Virginia border extends for about 380 miles through Appalachian Mountain terrain. The border follows mountain ridges, river valleys, and surveyed lines established when West Virginia became a separate state. West Virginia counties along this border include Hampshire, Hardy, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo, and others. The border crosses the Allegheny Mountains and numerous ridges. The New River Gorge area sits near this border in southern West Virginia.

Kentucky and West Virginia are separated by the Big Sandy River and the Ohio River along West Virginia's southwestern edge. These waterways create natural boundaries between the states in the Appalachian coalfield region.

The West Virginia-Kentucky border follows rivers for about 180 miles. The Big Sandy River (and its Tug Fork tributary) forms the southern portion of the border, while the Ohio River creates the northern section. West Virginia counties along this border include Wayne, Mingo, and McDowell. The border region was historically important for coal mining. Huntington, West Virginia sits on the Ohio River near where West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio meet.

Ohio and West Virginia are separated entirely by the Ohio River along West Virginia's western edge. This winding river creates one of the most recognizable state boundaries in the region.

The West Virginia-Ohio border follows the Ohio River for about 240 miles from Kentucky in the south to Pennsylvania in the north. The entire border is a water boundary. West Virginia counties along this border include Wayne, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Wetzel, Marshall, and Brooke. Major cities on this border include Huntington, Parkersburg, and Wheeling in West Virginia, and Portsmouth, Gallipolis, and Marietta in Ohio. The Northern Panhandle of West Virginia extends northward between Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania borders West Virginia along the Northern Panhandle. Part of this boundary follows the famous Mason-Dixon Line, which extended westward from its original Maryland-Pennsylvania border.

The West Virginia-Pennsylvania border runs for about 118 miles across the top of the Northern Panhandle from Ohio in the west to Maryland in the east. The border follows surveyed lines including the extension of the Mason-Dixon Line. Only a handful of West Virginia counties touch this border: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, and Monongalia. Wheeling sits in the Northern Panhandle close to both Pennsylvania and Ohio. The panhandle is only about 4 miles wide at its narrowest point, making it one of the most distinctive state border features in America.

Maryland borders West Virginia in the northeastern region, including both the Northern Panhandle and the Eastern Panhandle. The Potomac River forms much of this boundary.

The West Virginia-Maryland border extends for about 180 miles. The Potomac River creates a natural border for much of this distance as it flows from the mountains to join with the Shenandoah River. West Virginia counties along this border include Monongalia, Preston, Tucker, Grant, Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson. The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia extends eastward between Maryland and Virginia. Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers where West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia meet.