At 508 miles, Route 58 is the longest numbered road in Virginia. It stretches from Cumberland Gap to Virginia Beach, passing through Martinsville, Danville, Emporia, and Franklin along the way. When living in the New River Valley, I looked at taking it as a shortcut to the Outer Banks. That would have been a very long drive, indeed—460 is the way to go. It was built in 1931, using much of the 1918 State Routes 12 and 10. →
Comments are closed.
I’d just like to say thanks to the folks that put in the kind of effort it makes to write a Wikipedia article like the one for Route 58. I’m not sure what their motivation is, but then again, there are people that like to read tax codes. I’m meaning this to be a compliment — it’s a very detailed writeup.
I was surprised and delighted to discover a few years ago that articles exist for so many state and federal routes. I had no idea that I would find that topic interesting, but they turn out to make for great reading!
The drive from Galax to Damascus on Route 58 is one of the prettiest drives in the state.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Damascus, and driven back and forth between Abingdon and Damascus on 58 a few times, and it is a spectacular drive. (Especially in May, when I’ve often been in Damascus for their annual Trail Days celebration.) Other than that, I think the only other stretch of 58 that I’ve been on is between Martinsville and South Boston, which isn’t bad, but it’s nothing to write home about. Eventually I’ll take 58 from South Boston to Emporia, in order to hit up a few counties that I’ve never been to before. Now you’ve got me thinking that, to visit the SW municipalities I’ve never been to, I should take 58 west from 81.
Take 58 from Damascus to Whitetop and Mount Rogers School. Mouth of Wilson is also on Route 58 and used to have great trout fishing.
The best shortcut to the Outer Banks is straight along the beach on foot from Sandbridge. Only 22 miles to the pavement of Route 12. I just did the hike last week and can vouch for it.