Back in 2014 wereleased a blog article on how to avoid the traffic on you drive to the OuterBanks. After seeing how many people that article helped and reading everyone'sresponses and tips, we've decided to update it. Anyone who has driven to theOuter Banks on a Saturday knows how bad the traffic can be during peak season. We've had reports saying the traffic was backed up 20 miles behind theWright Memorial Bridge.
Everyone knows wherethe problem is. It's the intersection in Kitty Hawk that takes you northonto highway 12 into Southern Shores. Traffic there bottlenecks and canadd anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to your driving time. For guests who are stayingsouth of this intersection there is a better way. If you're staying in KittyHawk, Kill Devil Hills, or Nags Head with Outer Banks Blue here is a timesaving tip for you. Do not come to the Outer Banks over the WrightMemorial Bridge during peak vacation season!
As most veteran vacationers to the Outer Banks know, traveling to the Outer Banks from the north and driving across the bridge will add around 3 hours to your driving time due to traffic. Google maps may say the stretch from Richmond to Kill Devil Hills, the middle ground for our Kitty Hawk to Nags Head guests, will take you about 3 hours but in reality it will take you 5 to 7 hours.
Those of you who usually drive by, or near Richmond and then take Highway 64 to Chesapeake, instead take Richmond, VA to Edenton, NC. Yes Google maps will say the drive is 4 hours, which is 1 hour and 3 minutes longer, but when you consider the traffic it is actually a time saver. Not only is it a time saver it also is full of smaller roads through the countryside which may be a nice change of scenery from your average drive down the interstate.
Another alternative to these routes is to take I-95 South to US-64 East by Rocky Mount, NC. This path shows on Google Maps as being 16 minutes longer than the Edenton route, but it is mostly freeway and has a lot more gas stations and food to stop at along the way.
Most who are trying to arrive on the Outer Banks by crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge are averaging a 6 hours drive from Richmond to Kill Devil Hills, but if you take the Edenton route or I-95 to US-64 you may cut as much as 2 hours off your drive. You may still encounter some traffic once your arrive on the Outer Banks, but as everyone knows the traffic south of the Kitty Hawk-Southern Shores traffic light is rather light by comparison.
Even those of you who must travel through Chesapeake, due to where you live, can take advantage of this tip when coming to the Outer Banks on a Saturday during peak season. The problem where traffic occurs typically begins somewhere between the Virginia-North Carolina state line and Highway 158-Highway 168 intersection. With there being an additional hour and 15 minutes to go the Edenton route you will still save time when considering traffic.
A big tip to beat a lot of traffic iswhat day you check in on. Typically, most people vacationing on the Outer Bankschoose to rent from Saturday to Saturday. If you switch up your check in day toa Friday or Sunday Check in traffic will be much less.
If you are crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge no later than 9:30 am then you are usually in the clear. Most days traffic doesn't tend to get congested until around 10 am. I know 9:30 am sounds early if your rental won't be ready until 4:00 pm, but wouldn't you rather find something to do other than sit in traffic for hours? If you arrive to the Outer Banks before your rental is ready try grabbing a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants. The beach is full of great local cuisine that we recommend everyone try 8 Places to Get Breakfast on the Outer Banks. One of the best early arrival tips we can give you is to plan like you will arrive early. Pack swim suits and beach chairs to be easily accessible. If there is still time to kill until you can check into your rental you will be able to get to the beach gear easily and have a beach day until you can unpack the rest of your luggage.
Pro Tips for Driving To The Outer Banks
Since we've pretty much covered thealternate routes to avoid traffic on your way to the Outer Banks here are someadditional pro tips that you may find very useful!
Extend Your Stay
Who wouldn't want alittle bit of a longer vacation? If your plan is to come enjoy an Outer Banksvacation rental from Saturday to Saturday why not try coming Friday or evenThursday night? Although your vacation rental obviously won't be ready for youto check into, you can stay 1 or 2 nights in a hotel of your choice! Thetraffic you hit on a Thursday or Friday evening will be about 5% of what youwill see on a typical Saturday or Sunday. Often times the first day of yourvacation is filled with settling into the area and catching up on some restfrom the long drive. By arriving early and enjoying a night or 2 of relaxationafter a long drive you will be ready to fully enjoy your first day in yourvacation rental when you check in! Make sure to add on an Early Check In to yourental if possible. This will make it possible to check out of the hotel, graba bite to eat, and check right into your rental!
