Airports Serving Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County sits in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, a fast-growing region that has seen its population surge past 120,000 residents, making it the state's second-most populous county. Its location — roughly 75 miles west of Washington, D.C., 30 miles east of Martinsburg — places it within reach of several major airports while also giving residents access to a regional facility right in the panhandle. Whether you're a commuter flying into the nation's capital for business, a family heading on vacation, or a freight shipper moving cargo out of the Eastern Panhandle, understanding your airport options from Berkeley County is essential.
Eastern WV Regional Airport / Shepherd Field (MRB)
The closest commercial-service airport to Berkeley County is Eastern WV Regional Airport, formally known as Shepherd Field (IATA: MRB), located in Martinsburg — the Berkeley County seat. The facility shares its runway with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing, which operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the site. MRB sits at an elevation of 565 feet above sea level and features a single primary runway (Runway 08/26) stretching 9,000 feet — long enough to accommodate large military and charter aircraft. The terminal handles limited commercial and charter traffic, and its fixed-base operator (FBO) serves general aviation flights throughout the Eastern Panhandle. For Berkeley County residents seeking to avoid the heavy congestion of Washington-area airports, MRB is often the first stop for private pilots and charter customers flying regionally.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
For the broadest range of nonstop flights, most Berkeley County travelers head east to Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD), approximately 55 to 65 miles from Martinsburg depending on traffic conditions along US-340 and the Dulles Toll Road. Dulles sits in Loudoun County, Virginia, and serves as a major hub for United Airlines, offering nonstop service to more than 125 destinations including London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Tokyo Narita (NRT), and dozens of domestic routes. The airport's distinctive Eero Saarinen-designed main terminal, opened in 1962, remains an architectural landmark. Dulles handled over 19 million passengers in recent years and operates four runways, with the longest (Runway 1L/19R) measuring 11,500 feet. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Silver Line extension now reaches Dulles, offering an alternative to driving for Berkeley County commuters willing to connect via train or bus from the Eastern Panhandle.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA) lies approximately 70 miles southeast of Martinsburg via I-81 and I-66. DCA is a preferred hub for American Airlines and offers frequent departures on the East Coast shuttle routes to Boston Logan (BOS) and New York LaGuardia (LGA). Its perimeter rule historically restricts nonstop flights to destinations within 1,250 miles, though a handful of slot-exemption routes extend beyond that radius to cities like Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). Reagan National's proximity to Capitol Hill — just three miles from downtown Washington — makes it exceptionally convenient for business travelers, though the trade-off is heavier congestion and limited parking. Berkeley County residents who work in the D.C. metro area and fly frequently often find DCA's shorter security lines and rapid boarding processes worth the drive.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI), operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration, offers another major gateway about 85 miles northeast of Martinsburg via I-81 North and I-70. BWI is Southwest Airlines' largest hub on the East Coast, making it particularly attractive for price-conscious travelers from Berkeley County who have flexible schedules. The airport served over 26 million passengers in a recent pre-pandemic year and operates four runways. MARC Train service from Martinsburg's Amtrak/MARC station runs directly to BWI Rail Station with same-platform shuttle access, providing Berkeley County residents a genuinely viable train-to-plane option that bypasses highway congestion entirely. MARC's Brunswick Line departs Martinsburg multiple times each weekday morning, making early-morning BWI departures feasible without an overnight hotel stay near the airport.
General Aviation in Berkeley County
Beyond MRB, Berkeley County pilots and charter customers also reference Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) in Maryland, about 20 miles north via I-81. Hagerstown (IATA: HGR) offers scheduled service on Contour Airlines and serves as a reliever airport for the corridor. For ultralight and sport aviation, several private strips operate throughout Jefferson and Berkeley counties in the Eastern Panhandle, reflecting the region's active general aviation community.
Berkeley County's position along the I-81 corridor means residents have more airport choices than most rural West Virginia communities — from the local convenience of MRB and its Air National Guard-length runways to the global connectivity of Dulles and the budget-friendly options at BWI.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major West Virginia Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 1 Regional Airport in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport - Shepherd Field - Mrb
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Local Airports
There are 2 Local Airport in Berkeley County, West Virginia.