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Hi,
I am planning a trip from NJ to Outer Banks NC with my wife and 2 year old daughter in late February. It is my first time there. If we leave by dawn can we be at the hotel by sunset? Also how is the weather over there, will the beaches be open for us to take a stroll? Anything else interesting for us to do?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Welcome!
Exactly where in NJ, and exactly where on the Outer Banks?
Hello JahanNJ,
Both "New Jersey" and "Outer Banks" cover a lot of geography, so a more precise starting and ending point will help us help you.
That said, my sister-in-law and her hubby and their kids used to make a 10-11 hour run from the Kingston, NY area around 100 miles north of NYC to our place on the Chesapeake Bay right at the south end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT). They'd leave by 3:30-4:00 am to miss most of the NYC commuter traffic, drive down the Jersey Shore to Cape May, take the ferry, and drive on down the Delmarva Peninsula to Cape May Ferry (reservations strongly suggested or required) and the CBBT (free parking area and free walking-around area on the South Island, adjacent to commercial and naval shipping lane). From the south end of the CBBT, it's about 2 hours to the northern end of Nag's Head, and from there, another half hour up to Corolla and a good 90 minutes to 2 hours way down the islands to Hatteras Village.
Whether you come down the Delmarva or run I-95 through Balto/DC, you'll want to avoid Tidewater, VA at rush hour. A spider web of waterways and a paucity of roads makes for a "no fun" evening rush hour.
The weather along the Outer Banks (OBX) in Feb/March can be anything from sunny and 70 (like today) or 35 degrees and blowing a 50 mph nor'easter. No way to predict this far out. The beaches are public property and are always open. From my perspective, the Nags Head/Southern Shores/Duck/Corolla corridor has become a year-round destination in recent years. Not that everything will be open, but it's not the winter ghost town it used to be.
Safe travels and enjoy your OBX RoadTrip.
Foy
Guys,
Thanks for your responses, I should have been more specific. I will be going from central NJ (Edison) to Kitty Hawk NC. I am not sure of the exact road (I have my GPS), but I plan on just taking 95 all the way down. If I leave around 7 AM on a Thursday morning then will I get caught in traffic when I get near the DC area?
Thanks again.
That is 400 miles and doable in one day, but I would not go anywhere near DC. Bring your EZ-Pass and take the following route:
Take the NJ Turnpike to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and hook up with I-95. Get off at the DE-1 exit and take that south to Dover. Just south of the city and before you get to Dover AFB, take the connector to US-13. Take that all the way to Norfolk/VA Beach over the CBBT. From there, I will defer to Foy to tell you the best way to get to Kitty Hawk.
Alternatively, you could take the GSP to Cape May, then the ferry to Lewes and US-9 to US-13. Reservations recommended for the ferry, this won't save you any time but will give you a nice break from driving. Ferries leave Cape May at 7:30am and 11am. You should be there 30 minutes prior, and the ride takes 85 minutes. The fare is approximately $40. If you go this way, the 11am ferry will not get you there in time to get to Kitty Hawk before dark, and probably put you into Norfolk at the height of rush hour.
JahanNJ,
Kitty Hawk is central to the Nags Head portion of the Outer Banks (OBX). From the Norfolk-Virginia Beach side of either the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel (MMBT) or the CBBT, it's around a 2 hour drive down I-64/VA 168/NC168/US 158. Kitty Hawk is just a handful of miles past the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge which carries US 158 across Currituck Sound.
To get there by either I-95/I-64 or from US 13/CBBT, you'll navigate to the I-64/VA 168 interchange and follow the signs down to the state line where VA 168 becomes NC 168, which soon thereafter runs into US 158 and on to the Wright Brothers bridge to the OBX.
It's always wise to take a map with you. GPS is liable to tell you to pass through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on I-64 rather than to take the I-664 MMBT as a matter of course. The MMBT route is normally better, particularly from mid-afternoon through early evening on weekdays. Rush hour in Tidewater starts at 3pm when the shipyards' day shift ends, and it lasts until around 7pm, when Norfolk's office workers ride home finally tapers off. Perhaps not a big deal for one accustomed to NJ/NYC traffic, but we try to avoid it down here.
I heartily recommend glc's route from the DE side of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Dover, DE and the Delmarva Peninsula is a much, much more enjoyable drive than the Balto/DC suburbs, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Hampton, VA.
Foy
Foy and glc,
Thanks again for your responses.
Short change of plans. Instead of half a week, I have decided on an entire week. A friend of mine recommended getting a rental home rather than a hotel, and for this I have to stay at least a week. I think I found a nice one in duck...
http://www.twiddy.com/homes/duck/colony-by-the-sea/lockhart.aspx
Can I use the same directions you gave me before? Also do I still need to go through DC?
Here are the directions from google maps, do they look right to you?
7. Continue onto New Jersey Turnpike S
Partial toll road
59.8 mi
8. Continue onto US-40 W
Toll road
0.6 mi
9. Merge onto I-295 S
Partial toll road
Entering Delaware
4.3 mi
10. Take the US-13 N exit toward Wilmington/U.S. 40/New Castle Airport/Dover
0.3 mi
11. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for US-13 S/US-40 W/New Castle/Airport/Dover and merge onto US-13 S/US-40 W/N Dupont Pkwy
4.0 mi
12. Slight left onto US-13 S/S Dupont Pkwy
5.5 mi
13. Continue onto DE-1 S
Partial toll road
51.1 mi
14. Merge onto DE-1 BUS S/US-113 S/N Dupont Blvd via the ramp to Milford/Georgetown
Continue to follow US-113 S
Entering Maryland
74.6 mi
15. Turn left onto US-13 S
Partial toll road
Entering Virginia
81.4 mi
16. Merge onto US-13
1.3 mi
17. Merge onto US-13 S
4.0 mi
18. Merge onto US-13 N
1.3 mi
19. Merge onto US-13 S
8.6 mi
20. Take the exit onto I-64 E toward Chesapeake/Suffolk
10.2 mi
21. Take exit 291B to merge onto I-464 S/VA-168 S toward US-17 S/Elizabeth City/Outer Banks
0.4 mi
22. Continue onto VA-168 S
Partial toll road
Entering North Carolina
16.1 mi
23. Continue onto N Carolina 168 S/Caratoke Hwy
Continue to follow Caratoke Hwy
43.0 mi
24. Continue onto US-158 E/Wright Memorial Bridge
Continue to follow US-158 E
4.4 mi
25. Turn left onto N Croatan Hwy
0.1 mi
26. Continue onto N Carolina 12 N/Ocean Blvd
1.5 mi
27. Slight left onto Duck Rd
I get the feeling that you will get a much clearer picture of where that route goes, if you go to a place like AAA and pick up maps of each of the States your route touches. Then, taking a bright pink or luminous green hilighter, go over the route above, and see where it goes. It will be instantly obvious to you, if it takes you through DC, and you will be able to see what alternatives there are.
The problem with blindly following the directions from a program such as Google Maps is, if you happen to take a wrong turn, get lost or are sent off on a detour, for whatever reason, you won't know where you are, or what your options are. If you have it all clearly marked on paper maps, such as those from AAA, it will be instantly obvious what your options are, and you will be on your way, with little or no hassle.
Electronic mapping is great to zoom in for detail, get total mileage, etc., but there is nothing like seeing it all on a good paper map. Besides, you should always carry good maps, no matter what or how much technology accompanies you on your trip.
Lifey
..........I wouldn't even consider taking my wife + toddler on a 400 mile road trip into unfamiliar territory without a highway atlas. Spring for the $20-25 for a 2012 Rand McNally and get yourself familiar with the route. It's the only logical step to take.
"There is no COMPLETE substitute for a map and the ability to read it"
Safe travels and enjoy the OBX.
Foy
That route does not take you anywhere near DC.
Let me rephrase my recommendation:
Coming off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, you will be on I-295. Follow the signs for I-95 South. Upon entering I-95, go approximately 3.5 miles to DE-1 South. This is Exit 4A.
Go approximately 42 miles on DE-1 to Exit 97. Google calls this the Puncheon Run Connector, take this to US-13 South, and take that all the way to the CBBT.
This is not how Google wants to take you.
You can buy a Rand McNally atlas at Walmart for 7 bucks, and if you are a member of AAA, you can get free state maps of DE, VA, and NC (recommended). Do not blindly follow the directions that a GPS will give you.
Glc/Foy,
Just to confirm then, after the Delaware memorial bridge I should look for signs for 95 south (I guess this is different from the route that goes towards Baltimore and DC right). Then I should take exit 4A for DE-1 South. Then after 42 miles I should take US-13 south (is this exit 97?). After that can I follow the google directions?
Also are there rest areas in this route, with the baby we may have to make unexpected stops if she gets fussy.
Also I will definitely by an atlas as per your recommendation.
Thanks again.
95 south *IS* the route that takes you to Baltimore and DC, but you will only be on it for a few miles.
Exit 97 is not US-13 per se, it's the connector TO US-13. Once you are on US-13, you STAY on it to the CBBT.
I do not know if there are "rest areas" on the highway itself, but once you are on US-13 you are off the limited access highway and there will be plenty of places where you can stop. US-13 does bypass several towns, but there will be the "old road" (usually marked Business 13) that will take you through town. Worst case, there should be services at or near exits on DE-1.
JahanNJ,
I'm rather more familiar with the portion of US 13 between the MD-VA line than with more northerly sections, and I am familiar with the entire section from the southern end of the CBBT all the way to Duck.
From the MD/VA state line near Chincoteague, US 13 is 4-lanes but with a stoplight or two or three where towns are encountered. Plenty of roadside stores, fuel plazas, and fast food restaurants. The last EASY stop entering the heavily urbanized area south of the CBBT is on the CBBT itself, where the southernmost of the 4 artificial islands is a rest area with a diner, gift shop, fishing pier, and restrooms, and with ample parking.
It's about 4 miles from the landward south end of the CBBT to I-64. Signage directs you east, towards Chesapeake (the city of Chesapeake) andSuffolk, and I believe Elizabeth City, NC is signed eastward, too (although you do not want to go down US 17 to Elizabeth City). You don't want to go WEST on I-64 towards Norfolk, Hampton, Williamsburg, or Richmond. This 4 mile segment of US 13 (locally named Northampton Blvd) has a few stopping places, but I wouldn't favor stopping at night along US 13 between the CBBT and I-64, particularly the closer you get to I-64.
Perhaps 8 miles down I-64 east is the well-signed exit for VA 168 and the Outer Banks of NC. The NC town of Moyock is noted on the signs, I believe. Part of VA 168 is a toll road. Once you start down VA and NC 168, you're away from the worrisome areas and might consider most any stopping place to be OK.
There are NC DOT rest areas just south of Coinjock along US 158 and at the intersection of US 158 and NC 12 where you turn north up to Duck after crossing the Wright Brothers Mem Bridge.
Foy
Gle and Foy,
Thanks again for all your help. So again just to confirm the route,
I - NJ Turnpike to Delaware bridge to 95 South to exit 4a (DE 1 south)
2 - DE south to exit 97 which should put me on US-13 south
3 - Then I cross the CBBT
4 - Then I take the exit for I-64 east towards Chesapeake/Suffolk
5- Then I take the exit for Virgina 168 south which becomes N Carolina 168 south
6 -168 south should take me to the Wright Memorial Bridge
7- After the bridge I make a left on N Croatan Hwy which should take me to Duck.
Does this look right at a high level? Also where is the halfway point where you recommend breaking for lunch?
Thanks.
JahalNJ,
Add a "6a" to your list: NC 168 ends and there runs in to US 158. US 158 runs south/east to the Wright Brothers Mem Bridge and crosses Currituck Sound.
About 1 mile on the OBX side of the Wright Brothers bridge is a large intersection with the NCDOT Rest Area on the right and NC 12 to Duck turns off to the left.
I don't have a solid feel for a halfway point, but it would seem to be somewhere in the vicinity of the MD/VA line. From there it should take a little < 2 hours to the south end of the CBBT and another roughly 2 hours, depending on Va Beach/Chesapeake traffic, to the Wright Bros Bridge, then just a few minutes north to Duck.
Foy
My software places the halfway point around Pocomoke City MD. There should be a good selection of services there, both fast food and sit-down restaurants. US-13 bypasses downtown, but there should be plenty to pick from out on the bypass. I show a Walmart with a Subway just off the bypass so there should be others nearby.
Foy and glc,
Thanks again for all your help.
Glc/Foy,
I hope you remember me. I am actually less than a week again from this trip you helped me to plan. I just wanted to swing by you again becuz some people I talked with have encouraged me to talk the 95 route rather than the US 13 route. Here are the points they raised against US 13 route..
Lots of lights and traffic
Low Speed limit that is strictly enforced
Confusing and easy to get lost (especially when you come out of the CCBT)
Do you have any responses to these contentions, I am still in the middle of which way to go?
Thanks again for all your help.
My mapping software says that US-13 actually saves you 30 minutes over I-95, and it's almost 100 miles shorter.
Even if you take I-95, you still have to get through the Norfolk metro area. This is no easier than taking the CBBT.
The Baltimore and DC metros can be a bear!
The roughest parts of US-13 have been bypassed - DE-1 to south of Dover, Bridgeville, Salisbury, Princess Anne, and Pocomoke City.
.........I'd trade any/all of the bad points about US 13 for the 100 miles saved and for not having to go through the Balto-DC corridor.
And, just trust me--you want no part of I-64 from Williamsburg, VA on through Chesapeake, VA, across either the HRBT on I-64 or across the MMBT on I-664, unless your encounter with Tidewater, VA traffic would be late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. Any crossing between, say, 5am and 9pm is liable to include heavy traffic, stop and roll, lane closures, or all of the above. By contrast, from the south end of the CBBT to I-64 is < 4 miles and there are 5 stoplights. Mid-day or rush hour traffic may be heavy, but you'll be on I-64 headed east towards VA 168 within a few minutes, and unless it's rush hour, you'll be to the VA 168 exit within 15 minutes of getting on I-64.
Without trying to be rude about it, if a person can't navigate from the south end of the CBBT to I-64 and from I-64 to VA-168, that person shouldn't be traveling to begin with. If you've followed the advice offered in this thread and have familiarized yourself with the route as depicted on maps, and if you have a GPS on board, it will be fairly difficult to so much as miss a turn.
Foy
Thanks for the responses . Please pray for us, I will let you know how it went when we come back.
Glc/Foy,
This is the route I am taking (if there any corrections, please let me know), anyone else viewing this forum can know the route also...
Basically anywhere from NJ or NY or north to Outer Banks
NJ Turnpike to Delaware Memorial Bridge
5 miles after the bridge take exit 4a to DE 1 south
After 50 miles DE 1 south becomes US 113 south
After 70 miles US 113 south becomes US 13 south (or is it an exit?)
After 80 miles on US 13 south, I will cross CBBT
8 miles after CBBT I take I-64 east towards Chespeake
After 10 miles take VA 168 south
After 60 miles 168 south becomes US 158
This takes me to Wright brother bridge
After 1 mile make left on NC 12 to Duck.
Thanks again,
Jahan
No.
Coming off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, you will be on I-295. Follow the signs for I-95 South. It's about 3 miles from the bridge to I-95. Upon entering I-95, go approximately 3.5 miles to DE-1 South. This is Exit 4A.
Go approximately 42 miles on DE-1 to Exit 97. Google calls this the Puncheon Run Connector, take this about 2 miles to US-13 South, and take that all the way to the CBBT. This will have you on US-13 for 165 miles. Do not take US-113, this adds more time and it's not a 4 lane road.
It's about 5 miles from the CBBT to I-64.
From I-64, it's 35 miles on VA-168/NC-168 before it joins US-158. It's another 25 miles to the bridge.
See my insert in CAPS above.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
This is not that big of a deal. Tens of thousands of people from NY-NJ-Philly-DC do it each and every weekend during peak times in the summer, so how difficult can it be? Try to relax and enjoy the trip.
Foy
Thanks Foy and Glc. This is the longest trip I have taken with my family. God willing we will be all right.
You will be just fine as long as you are able to read the road signs and you have a good paper map with you. If you can find your way around the northern NJ maze, you won't have any problem with this.
Hi Glc/Foy,
I just wanted to let you know that it made it to the Outer Banks. The directions you gave me were great, I did not run into traffic. I left it 7 AM and was here before 4 PM (we stopped 4x on the way). The only minor snag was that when I was on I-64 there were multiple exits for 168. I took the first one I came to and it was 168 business which took me to a shopping district with lights. After I took the exit I saw 168 south for outer banks, eventually I found my way back to it.
One other down side is that the weather here has not been that great. Today it was in the 50s and very windy, but that is fine I am getting a chance to spend time with my family.
So going home I basically take the same route right..
158 west becomes 168 north
take exit for I 64 west (toward Virigna beach)
take exit for CBBT
US 13 north to Puncheon Run Connector
This will put me on DE 1 north
Will this take me straight to 295 to Deleware bridge?
Thanks again for all your help,
Jehan
Pretty much.
In the little town (if you can even call it that) of Barco, 158 will branch off to the left, 168 should be straight ahead.
The Puncheon Run Connector is just before you get to Dover, and it should be marked "To DE-1".
DE-1 ends at I-95, you need to take that a couple miles north to pick up I-295.
This all assumes you actually want to take the same way back.