We have driven several times from Long Island. We usually stop at about Fayetteville, NC (there are a number of decent hotels right off I-95). On the latest trip, we wanted to have a longer drive the first day so that we would get home earlier on the second day, so we stopped at a Hampton Inn in Emporia, VA. I know you have a longer trip than we do, so you might want to try this approach. Have a great trip!