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Directions to the Outer Banks

Driving

From the North

Follow I-95 South to Richmond, VA. Take I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach to Chesapeake, VA. Take Exit 291-B to US-168 South (Chesapeake Expressway toll road). Follow the toll road into North Carolina, where US-168 turns into US-158 East. Follow this road to the Outer Banks.

Alternate Route

Take I-664 South from I-64 East. Take I-64 East to Hampton, VA, pick up I-664 South toward Newport News, and go through the Monitor Merrimac Tunnel. Take Exit 15B to get back on I-64 East. Take Exit 291B to US-168 South (Chesapeake Expressway toll road). Follow the toll road into North Carolina, where US-168 turns into US-158 East. Follow this road to the Outer Banks.

From the Eastern Shore

Take US-13 from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to I-64 East. Follow I-64 to Chesapeake, VA, and take Exit 291-B to US-168 South (Chesapeake Expressway toll road). Follow the toll road into North Carolina, where US-168 turns into US-158 East. Follow this road to the Outer Banks.

From the West

Take I-95 South into North Carolina. Take US-64 East toward Rocky Mount. Follow US-64 East through Williamston and Plymouth, NC. From Plymouth, NC, continue east on US-64 to Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks.

From Western NC

Take I-40 East onto the Raleigh-Chapel Hill Expressway (exit 289). Take I-440 North to exit 14 toward US-64 East. Keep going east on US-64 to Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks.

From the South

Coming from South Carolina, take I-95 to Rocky Mount, NC. Take US-64 East to Manteo and the Outer Banks.

Driving from the Bridges

From the South

Upon crossing the Virginia Dare Bridge to Roanoke Island, you will pass the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau on your right. Follow I-64 East to Nags Head. You will cross the Washington Baum Bridge to Nags Head. Follow US-158 North if vacationing in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills. If vacationing in Southern Shores, Duck, Corolla, or the 4x4 beaches, follow US-158 North for approximately 15 miles and turn right onto NC-12, heading north to Duck and Corolla.

The Duck Office is approximately 5 miles north on the right side of NC-12. The address is 1181 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949. The Corolla Office is approximately 21 miles north on the left of NC-12. The address is 1142 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927.

From the North

Upon crossing the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge, you will pass the Southern Shores Marketplace/Food Lion Shopping Center on your left and a Walmart and Harris Teeter grocery store on your right. If vacationing in Southern Shores, Duck, Corolla, or the 4x4 beaches, at the fifth traffic light, take a left onto NC-12 North. We strongly suggest staying on US-158 until you reach the fifth traffic light at NC-12. Detouring through neighborhood roads in Southern Shores is not advised and can add significant time to your trip. If vacationing in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, or Nags Head, follow US-158 South.

After Crossing the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge - Local Traffic Advisory

If you are traveling to the Outer Banks from the North, your GPS may prompt you to turn left onto Dogwood Trail in Southern Shores instead of continuing on US-158 to the NC-12 intersection. The Dogwood Trail route is not a shortcut to Duck and Corolla, as it winds through neighborhood roads and can add significant time to your trip due to the stoplights favoring traffic on NC-12. Please watch this message from Mayor Elizabeth Morey regarding local traffic in Southern Shores.

Air Travel

Norfolk International Airport

Virginia’s Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is the closest major airport to the Outer Banks and is an approximately 2-hour drive from the OBX. Visit their website for flight information and driving directions.

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) in Virginia is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from the Outer Banks. Visit their website for flight information and driving directions.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina is approximately a 4-hour drive to from the Outer Banks. Visit their website for flight information and driving directions.

Dare County Regional Airport

If you’d like to charter a plane, consider the Dare County Regional Airport (MQI) in Manteo, NC. Approximately an hour drive from Duck, this airport offers charter service, air tours, auto rental, and taxi services. For more information, call (252) 475-5570 or visit their website.

Currituck Regional Airport

The Currituck Regional Airport (ONX) is a county-owned airport that is open to the public and located in the northeastern region of North Carolina, approximately an hour drive from Duck. For details contact (252) 453-8032 or visit their website.

Ground Transportation

All of the major airports provide car rentals and access to transportation service companies but, Twiddy prefers Island Limo for airport shuttle service to all points on the Outer Banks, including the 4x4 area.

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