Ways to Reach the Outer Banks

Whether you arrive by road or by air, traveling to and moving around the Outer Banks is straightforward. After you reach the islands, a small number of north-to-south roads make navigation simple and help keep you oriented. For air travel, the Outer Banks can be reached from Norfolk International Airport (82 miles north), Raleigh Durham International Airport (192 miles west), or Coastal Carolina Airport (138 miles southwest). The drive in is scenic and full of build-up. Travelers looking for a more adventurous route can come from the south and arrive by car ferries. That route takes longer, but it can turn the journey into part of the experience.

Please note the upcoming I-64 Widening Project on the Peninsula in Virginia. Daytime lane closures are not planned, but nighttime lane closures are scheduled Sunday through Thursday, starting as early as 8 p.m. and continuing until 5 a.m. the next morning. This portion of I-64 can get especially busy during the summer months, so visitors may want to check the free traffic information tools from VA511 website/phone/app or tune to 1680AM for real-time updates. Route 460 is also recommended when available as a way to help avoid congestion.

If you need an Electric Vehicle charging station, charging stations are available on the Outer Banks.

Driving directions

The Outer Banks reaches as far east as you can travel before the land gives way to water. Keep that in mind as you plan your route and make your way toward the islands.

Get to the OBX faster

Traffic can be avoided with a few helpful suggestions for reaching the Outer Banks more quickly.

Ferry schedules

Because water surrounds the Outer Banks, ferry travel is both useful and popular for getting around the area.

Air charters

Air Charters provide another way to travel to and from North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Ground transportation and vehicle rentals

Visitors looking for ways to move around the Outer Banks can use local transportation options and vehicle rentals, with choices suited to different travel needs.

Welcome Centers

Welcome Centers are available as a resource for travelers.

Electric Vehicle charging stations

Charging stations for Electric Vehicle drivers can be found on the Outer Banks.

Airport

Which airport should you fly into for the Outer Banks?

The nearest international airport to the Outer Banks of North Carolina is Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, VA. ORF is about an hour and a half from the northern OBX beaches.

Air charters and tours are available as additional travel options.

Is flying to the Outer Banks, NC possible?

The closest international airport to the Outer Banks is located in Norfolk, VA. Private charters can also be booked to the OBX, and air charters and tours are available.

What airport is nearest to the Outer Banks?

The closest international airport to the Outer Banks is ORF in Norfolk, VA. Private charters can be arranged, and tours and air charters are available.

Which airlines offer nonstop flights to Norfolk, VA?

A full list of flights to Norfolk, VA is available.