Roadtriiiiiiiiip next week

"area man" (hurrburgring)
04/21/2016 at 15:35 • Filed to: the open road

NYC —> OBX —> SAV —> NYC. What’s good through these parts Oppo?

Saturday will be NYC to the Outer Banks in one shot - getting off the 95 corridor, cutting through Delaware and using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel means we should be able to do it in less than 8 hours.

Sunday I plan on driving the entirety of the Outer Banks, once of the most scenic coastal routes on the eastern seaboard.

Monday will be Outer Banks to Savannah, which can be a short as 7 or as long as 11 hours depending on the route. Right now I’m planning to take some backroads type state routes (all the better for barbecue access) through North Carolina before hopping back on the 95 for the last blast to Georgia. I wanted to stick close to the coast, but there’s no direct route and we’re trying to keep the day’s travel under 10 hours.

We’ll be spending all week in Savannah, where liberal open-container laws should make for a fun time.

Friday will be the real test - were trying to drive back up from Georgia to NYC in one shot. The plus side is there’s no time limit - I have the rental car until 7am Saturday and the place is open 24 hours. So I have tried to prep my wife for a 12+ hour day in the car, hopefully stumbling through our front door between 10 and midnight Friday night.

I made a Target run this morning where I picked up fruit snacks, beef jerky, cheez-its and supplies for muddy buddies. We plan on stuffing ourselves with crab (red marker) for lunch on Saturday and BBQ (yellow markers) on the other travel days - when in Rome and all that.

My trusty steed will be whatever midsize Advantage drops in my lap. Last time it was a Chevy Cruze, but the time before that it was a Mazda 3. So fingers crossed!

Anywho, that’s the plan. What else do I need to see/do/eat/drink along this route?

DISCUSSION (38)

Berang > area man
04/21/2016 at 15:46

I can’t even think about savannah without risking an aneurysm. I hope I never see that POS city again in my life.

On the other hand, maybe stop by Charleston on the way. Pretty nice place for a day trip.

(edit: is there a particular reason you’re going to savannah? because unless something astonishing has changed the whole city since I left, I don’t know how one would plan to have fun there)

Eberle-Hills-Cop > area man
04/21/2016 at 15:52

Rental? Whats wrong with the Moldy Crow?

area man > Berang
04/21/2016 at 15:54

Apparently they have a big arty farty scene now and my wife is into that. And as I mentioned, you can walk around the entire historic downtown with a drink in your hand. I’ve only seen pics but the architecture looks pretty amazing. We will probably spend at least an afternoon in Charleston during the week though. Might swing by Hilton Head or the Gullah Islands too.

JEM > area man
04/21/2016 at 15:55

Whoa weird, I’m leaving Saturday morning and heading down to Savannah from Mass. on the bike. But I’m motocamping for 4 days to get there, and following the Appalachains instead because fuck I-95. I seriously hate that highway more than any other.

I would say if you can, spend one less day in Savannah, and take your time going down along the mountains/I-81. So, so, so much better of a drive.

Berang > area man
04/21/2016 at 15:59

Well they have the Savannah College of Art and Design... which has been there for a while now. And I don’t have much nice to say about them either. But you have to keep in mind that in Savannah, you can’t buy alcohol on sunday. So bars close on Saturday at midnight. It’s not a party city. You can see most everything in one day. I lived there for two years and have very little to say about it other than I was bored out of my mind the whole time, and it is one of the worst cities in the world to drive in (maybe less annoying if you’re only there for a few days, but I still get nightmares where I’m stuck behind horse carriages, sightseeing buses, and trying to find a parking space anywhere, not to mention trees that are growing IN THE ROAD (holy shit - because they’re “historical” they won’t cut them down)).

area man > Eberle-Hills-Cop
04/21/2016 at 15:59

She crashed on Ruusan because Jerec is an ass. Lotta miles on her though, probably time for a new one anyway.

area man > JEM
04/21/2016 at 16:01

Yeah I’m not totally satisfied with the route, too much 95 for my taste. Might veer off on the way back.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:05

Kinja'd!!!

Worth it.

area man > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
04/21/2016 at 16:08

Hmmmm I had actually forgotten about that and that is a great idea.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:16

Whatever you do, do not speed while going through that stretch of Delaware and Maryland. I have done the trip from NJ to Norfolk, VA a few times now and there are many cops patrolling that route and some unfairly low speed limits. Once you get off Route 1 in Delaware, you will not see anything above 55 until you are well into Virginia on the other side of the Bridge-Tunnel. You will also see frequent drops to 50, 45, 35 that just seem like they are there to generate tickets. Just set your cruise control and keep mind of the changes. I once had to do that route in a rental without cruise control. What 2014 car doesn’t come with cruise control???? Anyways, it is a nice drive with pretty light traffic but it will take longer than expected generally. NYC to Norfolk should be about 7 hours so getting down to OBX should take about 9 plus stopping for lunch along the way. Should be a fun trip down but the way back up might suck being on 95 for so long. If you have time for diversions, consider diverting West out of the 95 corridor for some more scenic routes. This will be time consuming but I would do it since I hate traffic.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:17

I live in eastern North Carolina and drive these roads regularly. I will give some suggestions tonight when I get to a computer. FYI 264 is closed near the outer banks due to an out of control wildfire.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:25

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Savan…

About your return trip, if you want an alternative to 95, you could divert to Asheville (maybe even make a day out of it, since that is a cool town). And then you can even hit up some of the Blue Ridge Parkway or take smaller highways like Route 29 or even Interstate 81 is better than being on 95 (heavy truck traffic though).

Also, here is some pics from the route I had taken from Asheville back to home in NJ. I did the return trip portion in 2 days staying completely off the interstates:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/2800-miles-lat…

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:26

If you stop there, order from their blended beers. They do a bitter with the Raison D’Etre combo that is like an army of awesomeness marching down your throat to the sounds of smooth jazz.

DrScientist > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:27

nice!

did this trip (well, all the way to florida) over the christmas holidays.

WATCH YOUR SPEED. i got two tickets...

be especially careful on rte 13 north of the bridge/tunnel, along that small stretch that is actually virgina. we know about virginia and their ticketing habits.

and also, in nc, on 64 or 264 coming back inland from the outer banks.

those are the spots that tacked an unepected $500 onto my trip.

area man > Berang
04/21/2016 at 16:31

I’m not a huge nightlife kind of guy, give me a dark booth in a bar and I’m set. I also grew up in CT so blue laws don’t bother me that much, plus we won’t be there on Sunday. I don’t think I would ever want to live there though.

area man > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
04/21/2016 at 16:32

now youre speakin my language.

area man > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
04/21/2016 at 16:34

My friend got nailed by one of those drops driving back from Myrtle Beach a few years ago, so I’ve heard of them, but I appreciate the reminder. Others have mentioned heading west on the way back, so I might end up doing that if my wife isn’t ready to kill me by that point.

area man > DrScientist
04/21/2016 at 16:36

area man > Chuckles
04/21/2016 at 16:36

Noooo really? Do you have a link about that?

area man > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
04/21/2016 at 16:38

Beautiful pics! We really wanted to camp, but being city folk we don’t own a tent or any associated supplies. I am seriously considering buying one though, the itch has not been scratched.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:48

If you’re into craft beer, there are a metric ass ton of awesome microbreweries in Richmond. Hardywood, Legend, Triple Crossing, Strangeways, Ardent, Isley, Center of the Universe, The Answer.....not to mention our local meadery Blackheath and our local cidery Bluebee. We really like our small batch alcohol in RVA haha.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:49

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines…

area man > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
04/21/2016 at 16:55

I am and I did not know that - looks like we’ll be stopping by on the way back north!

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 16:56

I live in Greenville NC but I’m from Pennsylvania. I’ve spent the last 4 years pretty much trying to take a different route every time. There are lots of alternatives to 95 if you have the time.

I’ve also made the trip to the outer banks a number of times. There is wonderful scenery but don’t expect fun curves on the roads.

I can recommend some points of interest when I have a keyboard in front of me.

area man > Chuckles
04/21/2016 at 17:00

Aw man that sucks about the fire. I can certainly get around it but 264 looked like a pleasant cruise on street view. I was hesitant to plot a curvy route because I don't know what car I'm going to end up with, but now I'm thinking the way back will be more mountainous.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 17:09

264 is a pleasant cruise, especially if you enjoy desolate places. If 264 is open, take it. If it’s still closed, take 64 to 94 in Columbia, then take 94 south across Lake Mattamuskeet to 264 past the fire. Mattamuskeet has a nice lighthouse and a wildlife preserve. You can stop there either way as it is very close to 264.

area man > Chuckles
04/21/2016 at 17:15

Cool thanks! Big fan of desolation.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 17:27

In that case you are going to love eastern North Carolina. 264 has a bomb range on it. Also, at one point you pass a series of numbered street signs (second street, etc), but there are no roads. It’s like they were planning a town but it failed.

PS gas up wherever you can. Lots of miles between gas stations around here.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 17:46

What’s your plan for the day of OBX driving? Are you taking the ferry to Ocracoke island? Rt 12 occasionally gets washed out. Check out https://mobile.twitter.com/ncdot_nc12 to check for closings.

tromoly > area man
04/21/2016 at 17:47

Kinja'd!!!

area man > Chuckles
04/21/2016 at 18:20

Man you are turning out to be an excellent resource. I haven’t talked my wife into the full ferry experience, but either way Duck to Hatteras is happening.

area man > tromoly
04/21/2016 at 18:21

OMG totally stopping at diggers dungeon!

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 18:38

I could go on and on. If I’m not exploring eastern North Carolina, I’m thinking about exploring eastern North Carolina.

Chuckles > area man
04/21/2016 at 19:10

Check out http://atlanticcoastcafe.com/ for some really tasty food on the outer banks. It’s also within walking distance of an old abandoned amusement park if you’re into that sort of thing (water slides, mini golf, go kart tracks with grass growing up through them).

The hatteras to Ocracoke ferry takes about an hour one way and is free. Your car may get hit with salt water if it gets choppy. Ocracoke is an island that is about 12 miles of an open road along the beach (speed limit: 55) followed by a quaint little town at one end (speed limit: golf cart). Lots of shops, a few nice restaurants, and a ferry terminal that goes to swan quarter or cedar island.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > area man
04/22/2016 at 08:09

If you are doing all the driving, I don't think she has much say in the matter lol. But happy wife, happy life is always my mantra.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > area man
04/22/2016 at 08:12

You can certainly drive through the area without camping. There are plenty of nice airbnbs out in the middle of nowhere that work quite well for that. Plus you would pass through or near a few decent towns along the way. I'm just crazy and love camping and the outdoors in general so I worked it into my trip. Asheville is actually a really cool town if you are into that hip and upcoming scene thing. I didn't spend time there because I had to make it back to work, but I heard it's worth it.

Slant6 > area man
04/23/2016 at 20:04

I’m up in Western NC if you need some pointers. I know of some dirt roads that lead your direction. Not off roading but they can be very scenic and secluded.

area man > Slant6
04/23/2016 at 20:58

Sounds cool!