Reach the OBX More Quickly

Avoid Summer Saturday Traffic With These Helpful Tips

On summer Saturdays, travelers coming to the Outer Banks from the north may find it difficult to identify the fastest route. Most visitors stay in weekly rental homes, with many choosing Saturday as both their arrival and departure day. As a result, visitors and workers travel to and from the Outer Banks on Saturdays between 9am and 6pm. Before your trip, review a map of the Outer Banks and learn about the distinct character of the 6 towns and 7 villages along this beautiful chain of barrier islands.

Use these ideas to spend less time in traffic and arrive at the Outer Banks sooner:

1. Choose a start day other than Saturday.
   When planning your drive to the Outer Banks, look for a vacation beginning on a day besides Saturday. Many property management companies provide weekly stays that start and finish on Friday or Sunday. Traveling on either of those days can bring at least 30% less traffic, making arrival and departure faster and less stressful.

2. Take a different route to the Outer Banks.
   An alternate route may be especially helpful for people staying in OBX towns & villages south of Southern Shores, including Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village. Although the alternate drive may add miles, it can save several hours by keeping you moving rather than sitting in congestion.

3. Plan your visit outside the peak months.
   The wide-open spaces and abundant activities associated with summer are available throughout the year. Incredible events, smaller crowds and lower prices are among the reasons to consider visiting the OBX in fall, spring or winter. You will also encounter a whole lot less traffic.