This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .
I have just returned from a lovely week down in the Outer Banks for our annual family vacation. Saturday night my husband and I reunited with our puppy, and we are still unpacking and getting back to our normal routine.
This was our first year travelling to the Outer Banks, and my husband and I decided to drive rather than fly. It’s only a 10 ½ hour drive, and there are not any major airports nearby where we were staying. I love a good road trip anyhow, and this way we didn’t have to worry about renting a car. Still – we knew how grueling such a long car ride could be, since we drove the 12 hours down to Charleston, SC a few years back. This time we decided to break up our trip to make it a bit more leisurely and less tiresome.
Our route was the Pennsylvania Turnpike down through the DC area, and a large stretch of Virginia. We opted to leave for our trip Friday afternoon, and we made a stop in Alexandria, VA for the night. On Saturday morning we visited George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, as it was only 20 minutes south of Alexandria, then completed the final 4 ½ hours of our trip. Breaking the trip up made such a difference, and we felt much more energized than we would have upon arriving if we had tried to cover the whole distance in one day. On the way back we decided not to make any stops, and we already know that we will probably do this differently if we go back there again next summer.
Where to Stop When Driving From Ohio to the Outer Banks
Below is a list of places we passed on the way down, that would make great options as places to stop overnight. You may even decide to do the whole drive in one day, but still explore one of these places since you’ll be driving through anyhow.
Alexandria, VA
This is where we chose to stop on the advice of a friend. It is just a little bit south of the DC area and features a historic “Old Town” lined with shops and restaurants. I wish we had a bit more time here to explore the beautiful old streets, but perhaps next year.
Richmond, VA
One of my coworkers was actually on a separate family trip to the Outer Banks the same week as me! They chose to stay in Richmond, VA overnight. While I personally have not been, I hear they have some good breweries , particularly Veil Brewing Company. I will report back once I know more…
Washington, DC
If you have the patience to brave the DC traffic, this could be a fun choice as well. Find someplace to grab dinner and explore the monuments the next morning before you complete your trip to the Outer Banks.
Mount Vernon, VA
See George Washington’s famous home! I had wanted to visit here forever, and I am still stoked that I was finally able. My only word of caution would be that we stopped on Saturday morning around 10am and there were already several charter buses lined up outside. We had to wait an hour and twenty minutes to be able to even tour the house itself! It opens at 9, so maybe try getting there first thing to beat the crowds.
America’s Historic Triangle
This includes Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, which are great if you love history; particularly America’s colonial and Revolutionary War history. I wanted to stop in Williamsburg so bad, but unfortunately time did not allow this year.
• • •
I hope this helps in planning your road trip south, and I will provide updates as I discover more stops. Have you visited any of these places or somewhere different on your trip to the Outer Banks? Do tell in the comments below!
