If you are flying to or from the Huntington area, you have two nearby airports. Huntington Tri-State (HTS) sits about 12 miles from downtown Huntington. Charleston's West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) is about 64 miles away, roughly a 1 hour 16 minute drive. HTS is closer and simpler; CRW is farther but carries more airlines and more nonstop destinations, so it sometimes has the flight or the fare that HTS does not. If you do fly through CRW, the 64-mile gap to Huntington is the part most travelers forget to plan.
Here is how the two airports compare, what CRW flies that HTS does not, and how to cover the CRW-to-Huntington leg.
Should you fly from HTS or Charleston Yeager (CRW)?
It comes down to a trade between distance and choice. HTS is about 12 miles from Huntington, so getting to your flight is quick and parking is cheap, but it runs a small schedule: American to Charlotte, and Allegiant's seasonal leisure routes to Florida and Myrtle Beach. CRW is about 64 miles away, a 1 hour 16 minute drive, but four airlines fly from it, which opens up hubs and fares HTS cannot match.
The rule of thumb: if HTS has a nonstop to your hub at a fair price, fly HTS and keep the trip simple. If your route forces a bad connection out of HTS, or CRW is meaningfully cheaper, the drive to Charleston can be worth it, as long as you count the cost of getting there. This is how they stack up in 2026:
| Airport | From Huntington | Airlines | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Tri-State (HTS) | ~12 mi (~20 min) | American, Allegiant | Convenience, cheap parking, nonstop to Charlotte, seasonal Florida/Myrtle Beach |
| Charleston Yeager (CRW) | ~64 mi (~1h16m) | American, Delta, United, Breeze | More hubs (Atlanta, Chicago, DC), price competition, Breeze leisure nonstops |
What flights does Charleston Yeager (CRW) have that HTS doesn't?
CRW's extra carriers are the reason to consider the drive. American connects through Charlotte from both airports, but CRW adds Delta into Atlanta, United into Chicago and the Washington DC area, and Breeze with nonstop leisure routes such as Tampa and Orlando. That means more hubs to reach the rest of the country and more competition on price. Confirm current routes on the West Virginia International Yeager Airport site before you book.
HTS keeps it lean: American to Charlotte for connections, and Allegiant's seasonal nonstops to Florida and Myrtle Beach (details on the Huntington Tri-State Airport site). For plenty of trips HTS is enough. But if you need Atlanta, Chicago, or DC without a Charlotte connection, or a specific leisure nonstop, CRW is where you find it.
How do you get from Charleston Yeager (CRW) to Huntington?
CRW to Huntington is about 64 miles and 1 hour 16 minutes by road, mostly west on Interstate 64. There is no quick, direct public-transit option: piecing it together by city bus takes hours and transfers, which does not work with luggage or a schedule. Your realistic choices are a rental car or a pre-booked private transfer.
A rental works if you want a car for your whole stay; you can compare options through GetRentacar.com. For a straight airport-to-Huntington run, though, a flat-rate private transfer is usually the better fit: the price is fixed before you fly, the driver tracks your flight so a delay does not strand you at CRW, and there is room for luggage after a long travel day. Our service covers the CRW-to-Huntington route as a booked transfer, see Charleston Yeager Airport transfers or the wider Charleston, WV route, or compare booked options on GetTransfer.com. Factor this leg into any CRW fare you compare: a cheaper Charleston ticket can lose its edge once the transfer is added.
Which airport fits your trip?
Match the airport to the trip:
- Short, simple, or last-minute: fly HTS. Twelve miles from Huntington, cheap parking, and American's Charlotte connection reaches most of the country.
- Florida or Myrtle Beach in season: HTS Allegiant nonstops are hard to beat for a beach trip.
- Atlanta, Chicago, or DC without connecting through Charlotte: CRW's Delta and United routes are worth the 64-mile drive.
- Chasing the lowest fare: price both airports. If CRW wins by more than the cost of getting there, take it, and book the CRW-to-Huntington transfer so the drive is handled.
For a full breakdown of getting to and around Huntington once you land, see our guide on how to get from HTS to town.