I-470, a southerly bypass of Wheeling and the lone auxiliary Interstate Highway in West Virginia, is intersected near Elm Grove.

Before crossing into Pennsylvania, I-70 passes The Highlands, a major shopping center in the panhandle, and the Bear Rocks Lake Wildlife Management Area.

When the United States Numbered Highway System was created in 1926, the National Road was designated U.S. Route 40 (US 40).

Traveling eastbound, US 40 departs the freeway at this interchange and becomes concurrent with West Virginia Route 2 (WV 2) northbound.

[6] Immediately east of the tunnel, a directional T interchange provides access to WV 2 southbound near homes north of the highway.

[4] The highway climbs over Two-Mile Hill[8] and intersects Cabela Drive (County Route 65, CR 65), which provides access to The Highlands, a large shopping destination.

I-70 passes north of the Bear Rocks Lake Wildlife Management Area before crossing the Pennsylvania state line into Washington County southwest of West Alexander.

[1] Every year, the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) conducts a series of surveys on its highways in the state to measure traffic volume.

[14][15] In 1926, the United States Numbered Highway System was established, and the National Road through the Northern Panhandle was designated US 40.

[4] The first portion of what is now known as I-70 to be completed across West Virginia was the Fort Henry Bridge across the main channel of the Ohio River, built in 1955.

[25] Then-Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. and Senator Jennings Randolph were present for the opening of this $17-million (equivalent to $98 million in 2023[23]) portion of freeway.

[33] The total $13.7-million cost of the tunnel reconstruction project was over double the original bid of $5.7 million, due in part to the work delays.