I will be travelling from Baltimore to Hatteras Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks.?I am travelling on either a Friday or Saturday. I understand that there are several routes I can take. What are your recomendations? Is it better to fly and then rent a car? I haven't done many long road trips by myself. Many thanks. |
This is the way my family has always traveled...to the outer banks
From the North
Follow I-95 South to Richmond, VA. Take I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. Take I-64 or I-664 to Chesapeake, Va. From I-64, take Exit 291B to Route 168, the Chesapeake Expressway.* Once in North Carolina, Route 168 turns into US-158 East. Follow this road to The Outer Banks. *Chesapeake Expressway is a toll-road which costs $2.00 each way, EZPass and SmartTag accepted.
I just got back from the outerbanks last Sunday and live in downtown Baltimore. We left at 4 p.m. so we hit traffic in D.C. and still got in at exactly 9 p.m. and we followed the directions on mapquest, and I would go that way again. I have heard that there is a "backway" but people also told us it was going to take us 6 1/2 hours to get to Nagshead and we got there in 5 WITH traffic. I would not fly the drive is easy--Get a good book on cd! Have a great time it is awesome there right now!
If you have time, take the Bay Bridge and US 13. Avoid Washington and Richmond traffic. There is NEVER a good time to drive near Washington.
If you fly, you'll probably go to Norfolk, and there's still a long drive ahead. Much of the time you save by flying to Norfolk will probably be lost in getting to the airport and waiting for the security checks.
I love road trips, my wife and i take 2 weeks a year off and just take off on road trips... they are so much fun.. you get to see lots of things you would miss on a flight..
But, the flight gets right to the point now doesnt it.
All i know is you can't fly and it will probably take 7 hours. and there aren't that many different ways well at least there aren't once your in NC.
