Anyone know the fastest way from Charlotte NC to Wilmington NC ?????

[Maleficent2]

Charlotte to Beaufort, NC?

I did a Mapquest but that is stupid put it at 11hours.

I can drive to Charlotte in about 3 -4 and then to Wilmington in another 4 so that is 8.

Anyone know any figures for point to point in NC and I can go from there.

DS is into Pirates and Blackbeard's house is in Beaufort.

Any other info about this area would be deeply appreciated.


Thanks

Mal

 

[rcyannacci]

OMG- that is such a beautiful area, I'd probably take the backroads through the mountains to Charlotte.

 

[Maleficent2]

I am thinking 64 to Charlotte through Brevard really familiar with that part of NC since we live in Chattanooga we travel that all the time on the week ends but once you get to the East of Charlotte I am lost.




and what are the best beaches around Beaufort I am looking at Bear island and Cape Lookout. We like less populated areas not crowded like Myrtle Beach.

Also anyother sightseeing interests?????

thanks

Mal

 

[Maleficent2]

 

[KathyTX]

Looks like Mapquest is trying to route you along interstates... The Mapquest route for Chattanooga to Charlotte takes you through Atlanta instead of the mountains. And their routing from Charlotte to Beaufort takes you way north, through Raleigh. Yahoo maps is using a similar route.

If you're comfortable going through the mountains to Charlotte, try plugging Charlotte to Wilmington, then Wilmington to Beaufort into Mapquest and you'll get the more direct route.

Checking different ways, looks like the Mapquest recommended routes are further in terms of miles but faster in terms of estimated driving times. Based on my experiences along those little roads, they're probably not too far off.

Every way I tried plugging this in, looks like the Charlotte to Beaufort part of the trip is estimated at around 6 hours and about 300 miles (give or take.)

I love the Outer Banks and the Carolina coast, but getting there sure can be a pain.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I live in Raleigh, and this one seemed so obvious I actually had to ask DH just to be sure. From Charlotte, I85 runs into I40, which runs straight to Wilmington. It's about 2 1/2 hrs from Charlotte to Raleigh, and 2 hrs from Raleigh to Wilmington.

Are you actually going to Wilmington, or do you just want to go to Beaufort? To get to Beaufort, you want to go Highway 70 east to Morehead City from the Raleigh area instead of I40. The entire "Crystal Coast" area, stretching from Atlantic Beach down to Emerald Isle, is more old-style family beach area (non-Myrtle style). You can also drive out to Cedar Island and take the ferry (couple of hours) over to Ocracoke Island and then on to Cape Hatteras and the entire Outer Banks area. Cape Lookout is also accessible from the Beaufort area. Beaufort itself is an entire tourist attraction - lots of historical houses, a wonderful Maritime Museum.

 

[SherryNC]

Asked dh and he suggested taking 74E out of Charlotte. It turns into 301 past 95. That will run into 76 which you will take east into Wilmington.

 

[Jennasis]

Sorry but I'd stay off the "backroads" if posssible. You'll get stuck behind a slow moving truck and be ruined!

Take 85north from Charlotte to I-40 East which runs through Raleigh and goes right to Wilmington. You can go MUCh faster on the interstate than on the backroads. About 2 hours from Charlotte to Raliegh (maybe 3) then about 3 hours from Raliegh to the coast. I live 2 hours from raleigh (near Winston-Salem) and can make it to Wilmington in 4 hours.

 

[DVCLiz]

There's a nice little maritime museum in Beaufort - also you can drive down to the end of the business district and watch for wild ponies on Carrot Island across the sound. There are some historic houses that are worth a look, too. The Net House in Beaufort is my all-time favorite beach seafood restaurant!!! There is an aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores that's a nice half-day trip, especially if it's raining at the beach. The Atlantic Beach area is where we actually beach vacation, not Wilmington or Wrightsville, but the whole NC coast is beautiful - have a great trip!!!!