There are plenty of ways to get to North Carolina’s beautiful coast, but driving is the easiest if you live in one of the mid-Atlantic states. Make the journey from Charlotte to the Outer Banks for an easy drive on the highway! Whether you take a few stops or drive through, the trip will give you plenty of time to plan your beach getaway.
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The Best Route From Charlotte to the Outer Banks
What You’ll See on Your Road Trip
The drive from Charlotte to the Outer Banks might not be the most exciting in terms of things to see and places to stop, but Raleigh can make for an intriguing break about halfway through the route. The Tarheel State’s capital city holds a few treasures worth exploring. The North Carolina Museum of Art has a fantastic collection of art, but the real showstopper here is the outdoor monument park where unique sculptures make up an interesting exhibit in a beautiful space. If you’re traveling with kids, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has plenty of fascinating interactive exhibits the whole family will enjoy. You can stretch your legs outside in William B. Umstead State Park or take a stroll around N.C. State University (there are many great places to eat around the school).
Overall, the trip from Charlotte to the Outer Banks is around a five and a half hour drive without traffic. Congestion is relatively normal around the Greensboro and Raleigh areas, so you may want to drive through to shorten your time on the road. Although traffic backs up frequently on the highway, we recommend avoiding back roads and taking the interstate on this linked route.
Continue Your Adventure in Manteo and the Outer Banks
The real fun begins once you reach Manteo. After spending over five hours in the car on the trip from Charlotte to the Outer banks, unload all of your belongings at your Pirate’s Cove rental property and head out to do some exploring! See all that Roanoke Island has to offer before taking the 10-minute drive to the Outer Banks. The Elizabethan Gardens and the Outer Banks Aquarium are fantastic things to do with kids. If you’re visiting during the summer, make sure you buy tickets to see a performance of The Lost Colony.
Then, pack your beach bags and head and spend at least a couple days sprawled out on Nags Head or Kills Devil Hills beaches. While you’re there, explore some of the top attractions like Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Whether you go on a dolphin tour or rent kayaks on Roanoke Sound, there are so many fun and exciting ways to explore the Outer Banks!
Plan Your Outer Banks Getaway
Pirate’s Cove offers some of the best waterfront properties in the Outer Banks! Our rentals are spread across several locations on beautiful and historic Roanoke Island, allowing you to explore many of our attractions. Downtown Manteo is a fantastic place to spend the day shopping, dining, and taking in views of Roanoke Sound from the waterfront. And it’s only a 10-minute drive from the beach!
Plan your Outer Banks getaway today by booking one of our homes or condos today! We look forward to welcoming you to Manteo!
