Directions to outerbanks of NC

[TowPro]

I am looking for a new way to get to the outerbanks of NC. I am coming from SE PA. I live 1/2 way between PHila and Harrisburg.



I always I come down 95. I have to take the frances scott key bridge on the East side of baltimore because Propane is not allowed in the tunnels, then I go straight through Washingtown (right past that sign that says "no trucks" then what ever bypass that is that goes around Richmond and get onto 64. This is the part I don't like. 64 can be ugly, then once I hit Newport News it can be a real mess. I know I can come down 13 through Deleware and cross the Ches. bay bridge tunnel, but if you hit high winds there is no detore (I do go home that way).



My question is has anybody gone further down 95 to Rocky Mount, and come across the 64 down there? It takes me into the outerbanks below Nags head, where I would go south on 12 out onto the outerbanks. We are going to Waves.



Delorme shows its 1/2 longer, and I always loose at least that much time in Newport News, plus all that mess from Kitty hawk down to Nags head can suck up another extra 1/2 hour if you catch ever light Red.



any advice?



I am leaving Wed morning

 

[mstimac]

Guess it really depends on how much of the country you want to see. NNews traffic isn't bad heading south after about 9am but the your right it can be a real pain. A decent way to go that will save a few miles but isn't a bad ride is to take 95 past Richmond to Petersburg then 460 to Suffolk, pick up 32/13 south to 158 east in NC. Take that over to 17 south go through E. City and between Hertford and Edenton pick up 37 south across the Albemarle sound bridge. It will dump you right on to 64 east to Manteo. That's a little shorter than running 95 all the way to Rocky Mount and it's a lot less traffic. Mike

 

[nps]

When I was stationed at Cherry Point (New Bern) and had to run to/from the north I'd take 95 to Roanoke Rapids and get on 158 E to 13/17 S. From there you could catch 64.



All in all, most of the back roads around that area used to be in good shape and were not heavily traveled - but that was a few years ago.

 

[dzldpatriot]

Having lived here in Newport News for a few years, I agree with you on 64 being a pain :{ . An option for you if you still want to do 64 is to get off in Williamsburg and take the ferry across from Jamestown to Surry. This puts you on the other side of the James and allows you some country road travel. It will dump you off below NN and all of the tunnel headaches. I used the ferry last summer with our camper and it was a nice 20 minute ride across. Take a look at a map and see what you think. If you are in the area and need a break (or some help), I'm right off exit 247 (Lee Hall) of 64. Hope this helps...

Glen

 

[jmy]

From Rocky Mount 64 is a good route to the outer banks. Four lanes for a good portion of the way and traffic is not usually a problem.



If you have time for a plesent ferry ride you might also consider continuing on I95 south past Rocky Mount to Smithfield (about 20 miles south of Rocky Mount) then exit on 70 east to Morehead City (at least 4 lanes all the way). From Morehead City go north on 12 to Ceder Island ( about 18miles I think) the take the Ferry across to Ocracoke Island ( the most outer of the outer banks).



Go here for the NC Ferry Schedules

http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/routes/schedule/route005.html

 

[TowPro]

thanks everybody. I got to run this through Delorme again tonight and pick a route. Not sure about the ferry, I hear its windy down there this time of year. hate to place myself in a place I could get seasick with another hour left to drive