West Virginia Route 44 begins traveling northward from its southern terminus at The King Coal Highway (US 52 near the Logan-Mingo county line). Like many other highways in West Virginia, the road curves a lot and is very hilly because of the Appalachian Mountains throughout the state. The route travels mainly north for 16.8 miles before meeting its northern terminus at WV 73 just south of Logan, which is the county seat of Logan County and the only city in the county by definition. WV 44 passes through many small communities on its short route. From south to north, the highway passes through the CDP of Sarah Ann, the unincorporated community of Stirrat, the CDPs of Omar, Chauncey, Switzer, Rossmore, and Monaville, the unincorporated community of Wilkinson, and the CDP of Mount Gay-Shamrock where it meets its northern terminus. It also passes just east of the unincorporated community of Barnabus.