The Tidewater Road Trip

The Tidewater Road Trip is an ideal way to explore the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Starting in Norfolk, Virginia and ending in Jacksonville, North Carolina, this 395km journey is sure to provide an unforgettable experience. Along the way, you’ll traverse through Elizabeth City, Washington, New Bern, and Morehead City, all of which provide plenty of attractions and activities to explore. The best time of year to make this trip is late spring or early summer, when the weather is mild and the roads are in excellent condition. With two days to complete the journey, you’ll have plenty of time to take in the sights and sounds of the Eastern seaboard. This road trip is suitable for all types of drivers and can be managed on a moderate budget. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, the Tidewater Road Trip is sure to provide you with a lifetime of memories.

Norfolk is a vibrant city in the United States, situated in the south-east state of Virginia. It is a great starting point for The Tidewater Road Trip, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of interesting sights to explore in Norfolk, including the Nauticus National Maritime Center and the Chrysler Museum of Art. The Virginia Zoo is also well worth a visit, with over 500 species of animals. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Car rentals are available at this airport, making it easy to start your road trip. Once on the road, The Tidewater Road Trip will take you through some of Virginia's most beautiful scenery. From the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tranquil beaches of the Outer Banks, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Are you ready for a road trip adventure? Then join us on our journey from Norfolk to Elizabeth City! This 45mi stretch will take you less than an hour to complete, so make sure to make the most of it! Start in Norfolk and visit the Nauticus Maritime Science Center, where you can explore the USS Wisconsin and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. You can also take a stroll in the Norfolk Botanical Garden or take a boat ride on the Elizabeth River. Continue your journey and you will reach Elizabeth City. Here, you can explore the Museum of the Albemarle and the Waterfront Park. If you are looking for a more active experience, you can kayak in the Pasquotank River or take a walk on the Elizabeth City Boardwalk. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, make sure to check out the “Itinerary” of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Elizabeth City to Windsor? This 50mi journey will take you less than 1 hour to complete, and you'll have the opportunity to explore some of the most interesting places along the way. In Elizabeth City, you can visit the Museum of the Albemarle, the North Carolina Estuarium, and the Elizabeth City Waterfront. All of these places offer a great opportunity to learn about the region's history and culture. As you make your way to Windsor, you can stop at the Cashie River Wetlands Park, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and observe the wildlife. You can also visit the Roanoke River Lighthouse, a historic landmark that offers stunning views of the Roanoke River. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Start your road trip from Elizabeth City to Windsor and explore the beauty of the region!

Welcome, road-trippers! This stage of your journey will take you from Windsor to Washington. This is a short drive of only 35 miles, and should take you less than an hour. As you make your way from Windsor to Washington, you will find plenty of interesting places to visit. For starters, you can take a tour of the historic Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. You can also visit the beautiful gardens of the castle, and explore the unique architecture of the building. Once you reach Washington, you can explore the many attractions in the city, such as the Washington Monument, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. For those who love the outdoors, you can take a stroll in the National Mall, or take a hike in the Great Falls Park. If you're looking for a more leisurely activity, you can take a boat ride on the Potomac River, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city. No matter what you decide to do, you're sure to have a great time in Windsor and Washington. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Washington to New Bern? This 40mi journey will take you less than an hour, so you can enjoy the scenery and the attractions along the way. Make sure to stop at the historic sites of Washington, such as the Turnage Theatre, the Pamlico River, and the Washington Waterfront. Then, you can visit the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola in New Bern and check out the historic sites of the city, such as the Attmore-Oliver House, the New Bern Firemen's Museum, and the New Bern-Craven County Public Library. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the Itinerary of this stage. So, get ready for a unique experience and enjoy the journey!

Welcome to the New Bern to Morehead City road trip stage! This is one of the most exciting stages of your tour, as you will be able to explore two of the most beautiful places in the United States. The route covers a distance of 34 miles and should take you less than an hour to drive. Let's start with New Bern. This charming city has a rich history and offers plenty of attractions for visitors. Make sure to visit the Tryon Palace, the first permanent state capitol in the United States, and the New Bern Fireman's Museum, where you can learn about the history of firefighting in the area. Next, you will arrive in Morehead City. Here you can explore the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, where you can observe the diverse marine life of the area. If you're looking for a unique experience, take a guided kayak tour to explore the area's coastal waters. For more information about the attractions, accommodation options, restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Welcome to the Morehead City to Jacksonville road trip stage! This 42-mile journey will take you less than an hour to complete and is part of a larger tour. Start your journey in Morehead City, where you can visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Here you can explore the wonders of the Atlantic Ocean and its inhabitants. Continue your journey to Jacksonville, where you can visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Here you can learn about the coastal lifestyle and the history of the area. If you are looking for some outdoor activities, you can visit the Hammocks Beach State Park. Here you can enjoy a variety of activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, and camping. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your Morehead City to Jacksonville road trip!

Jacksonville, the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, is the perfect ending point for the Tidewater Road Trip. Known as the River City, Jacksonville offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. With the St. John's River running through the city, there are plenty of opportunities for water activities such as fishing, kayaking and boating. In addition, there are numerous parks and nature preserves to explore, including the scenic Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. For those looking for a little more excitement, Jacksonville is home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minor League Baseball's Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, as well as a number of museums and historic sites. Visitors can also explore the city's vibrant art and music scene, with a variety of galleries, live music venues, and performance spaces. For those traveling by car, Jacksonville is easily accessible via Interstate 95, which runs through the city. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), located just outside of the city. From its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities to its vibrant culture and exciting sports teams, Jacksonville has something for everyone. With its abundance of attractions and activities, there's no better way to end the Tidewater Road Trip than in Jacksonville.

No doubt our The Tidewater Road Trip will become an ideal inspiration for your future holidays.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse attractions.
If travelling by car is your plan when exploring highlights around North Carolina, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a list of things to be mindful of to ensure pleasant experiences. These tips will also become useful for tourists who opt for renting a vehicle or camper hire in North Carolina.
When you’re driving around North Carolina, you should follow the local road rules. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any expense when North Carolina is your travel destination. Tourists ought to remember that the permitted consumption limit is very low and is only 0.5‰. In order to avoid a speeding fine, it is best to never exceed 40km/h, which is the maximum speed when travelling around the urban areas. Around non-build-up-areas, you can travel at the maximum allowed speed of 72km/h. You can drive at the permissible speed of 129km/h on motorways in North Carolina. It is best to equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and drive with your headlights on at daytime to ensure appropriate safety.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip. Depending on the budget option that you choose, the total cost of the whole tour will vary. A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
We estimate that the cheapest option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 395km while travelling around North Carolina will be roughly 50 EUR. Economy accommodation options may cost holidaymakers roughly 154 EUR. The travel expenses related to food and restaurants within this option will cost up to about 144 EUR. If your aim is also the cheapest car hire option, you will pay around 90 EUR. Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be approximately 348 EUR without vehicle rental and 438 EUR with vehicle hire.
Holidayers who seek greater comfort and the standard option should be prepared to pay the maximum of 75 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the trip. Cost amounting to 242 EUR can be expected by all drivers who are looking for standard accommodation options. Food and restaurants from the standard range will cost more or less 216 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire vehicle can expect a cost of about 108 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 641 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend about 533 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding holidayers. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay around 964 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle hire will spend about 784 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium rental car should expect a cost of more or less 180 EUR. In the premium configuration of the tour, the fuel cost will be up to around 100 EUR. Tourists should expect to pay approximately 288 EUR for food and restaurants and around 396 EUR for hotels if they are searching for the highest standard of services.
Our trip is also excellent for camper fans. If you choose this travel option, it costs approximately 450 EUR. Gasoline to tank a camper for the whole road trip will cost about 113 EUR. Holidaymakers should expect to pay around 144 EUR for expenses connected with food and about 110 EUR for overnight stays if they want to travel in a camper.
The section Road Trip Costs presents all the above details in a straightforward way.
The part of North Carolina presented in our adventure idea is superb to be visited between May and September. There are countless interesting road trips that we offer on our website if you like The Tidewater Road Trip. We hope that the great diversity of ideas will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers.