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Today's destination is Ocracoke, NC. You'll need prior reservations at the Swan Quarter Ferry. The ferry ride is about 2½ hours across the Pamlico Sound. Cost is $10 at this writing. Call 1 800 BY FERRY, or visit www.ncferry.org for current schedules, fees and reservations. You need to claim your ferry reservations 1/2 hour prior to departure. Leave EagleRider Virginia Beach by turning South (right) on Whitchduck Road. |
| 1. Head south on VA-190/N Witchduck Rd toward Richard Rd. 0.6 mi |
| 2. Turn right to merge onto I-264 W toward Norfolk2.2 mi |
| 3. Take the exit on the left onto I-64 E toward Chesapeake/Suffolk12.3 mi |
| 4. Take exit 296B to merge onto George Washington Hwy N/US-17 toward Deep Creek 1.6 mi |
| 5. Turn left at George Washington Hwy S/US-17361 ft |
| 6. Turn right to stay on George Washington Hwy S/US-174.1 mi |
7. Turn right to stay on George Washington Hwy S/US-17
Continue to follow US-17
Entering North Carolina50.3 mi |
8. Turn left at Haughton Rd/NC-37
Continue to follow Haughton Rd8.3 mi |
| 9. Continue on NC-323.8 mi |
| 10. Slight left at NC-945.0 mi |
11. Turn right at NC-1141/Scuppernong Rd
Continue to follow NC-11410.3 mi |
| 12. Turn left to merge onto US-64 E11.5 mi |
13. Turn right at Broad St/NC-94
Continue to follow NC-9435.0 mi |
| 14. Turn right at US-2647.0 mi |
| 15. Turn left at Main St/NC-11291.5 mi |
| 16. Turn left at NC-1128/Oyster Creek St0.2 mi |
| 17. Turn right at Ferry Rd0.5 mi |
| 18. Take the Swan Quarter - Ocracoke ferry to Ocracoke29.0 mi |
| 19. Continue straight onto NC-12105 ft |
| 20. Turn right to stay on NC-120.3 mi |
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Leave Ocracoke early, there's a lot to see, and you'll want to save some time for the beach. You'll be taking the Ocracoke/Hatteras Ferry, but this one's only a 40 minute ride and leaves usually on the hour and half-hour. Check schedules by calling 800 BY FERRY. Continue north on NC 12 to Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest and probably the most famous lighthouse in the United States. While it's been a fixture on the Carolina coast since 1870, engineers determined it was in jeopardy from the encroaching sea, and in 1999, moved it 2900 feet inland to a safe position. The move itself was an engineering miracle, and the story is well told at the site. From the Hatteras Light, make the short journey north to Bodie Island Lighthouse, which faces inland toward Pamlico Sound. After Bodie Island, you'll cross Oregon Inlet and ride up to Whalebone for lunch, then check in early at your stop for the night, just in time for fun and sun on the beach. While you're here, you may want to take a side trip to Roanoke Island, where the first English colony perished. The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo are also worth the time. If you're a risk taker (hey, you're a biker, right?) check out the hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge State Park. |
View full map courtesy of Google Maps >> |
Getaway Day. Reset your trip meter. You have options today. NC 12 is the scenic route up the coast through Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk and the resort area. If you're looking to get there quicker, take U.S. 158 up to Kitty Hawk, then take NC 12 up to the Currituck Sound Lighthouse. From Currituck back to Virginia Beach: |
| 1. Head south on NC-12/Ocean Trail toward Coral Ln; Continue to follow NC-1217.9 mi |
| 2. Turn right at Hillcrest Dr0.9 mi |
| 3. Turn right at Hickory Trail0.4 mi |
| 4. Turn right at E Dogwood Trail0.1 mi |
| 5. Turn left at S Dogwood Trail2.4 mi |
| 6. Turn right at N Croatan Hwy/US-158; Continue to follow US-15828.0 mi |
| 7. Continue on Caratoke Hwy/NC-168; Entering Virginia18.3 mi |
| 8. Continue on VA-1681.8 mi |
| 9. Turn right at Gallbush Rd1.7 mi |
| 10. Slight right at Indian Creek Rd2.8 mi |
| 11. Turn left to stay on Indian Creek Rd2.9 mi |
| 12. Turn left at Blackwater Rd1.9 mi |
| 13. Turn right at Pungo Ferry Rd2.8 mi |
| 14. Turn left at Princess Anne Rd10.1 mi |
| 15. Turn left to stay on Princess Anne Rd0.8 mi |
| 16. Turn right at General Booth Blvd/VA-149; Continue to follow VA-1495.8 mi |
| 17. Continue on Pacific Ave/US-601.8 mi |
| 18. Turn right at Laskin Rd/US-58171 ft |
