Directions - Camp Hatteras RV Campground in NC

Our daughter lives on the Outer Banks and we always go via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. As stated above, the tunnels look worse than they are. There is plenty of room, and more room than on some bridges. We will take that few moments of stress over the potential issues around DC and Baltimore.

Each to their own, I guess. Personally, I much prefer the good secondary 55 mph roads over the 65+ mph Interstates - I guess I just an old fogey. The create more of a psychological/optical illusion problem rather than a real problem - the lanes are a full 12' wide which gives you 2' on either side of your rig. If you follow a big rig through the tunnel sometime you can see that you have as much room on the sides as any other road - just seems narrow because it is all closed in ....

So I went RT13 through Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Let me just say driving a Class A through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnels was very stressful. Seeing a tractor trailer coming at you from the opposite direction in a tight tunnel environment is nerve racking. I went RT64 to Richmond and up RT95 on the way home.

We now avoid most of the Tidewater area (which is congested & includes tunnels where you are supposed to stop your RV before entering for inspection).

We take Exit 263 off 64 to the James River Bridge - a bit of stop and start getting to the bridge but less stressful than dealing with speeding trucks on 64! Then we connect again with 17 which takes us to the Chesapeake Expressway and onward to OBX. I think it's about 6 miles longer than going through the tunnels, but a lot more pleasant.

If you have time and don't mind a few extra miles I would take I-95 to Rocky Mount NC and then hit US 64 east there. US 64 east takes you all the way to the Outer Banks. When you hit the causeway you would bear right for Hatteras Island which is Hwy 12. That is more direct, very little heavy traffic, no tolls, and as of this writing no construction on US 64 from Rocky Mount to the Outer Banks. Personally I would stay away from coming down thru the Tidewater area. I lived in Chesapeake a few years and have travelled 13 to the Eastern Shore as well. That is my opinion. Actually the only traffic you would hit would be going thru Plymouth NC and that is a small town with minimal traffic.

I agree that the trip down Rt13 on the Eastern Shore is much more relaxing than I95. Yes, it is only 55 mph, and yes there are multiple traffic lights, but seldom has nerve racking traffic, and there are plenty of places to stop for fuel, food, and campground.

Another option is to take I287 to the Garden State Parkway (RV's are permitted from there south) all the way to the end at Cape May, then take the ferry over to the Eastern Shore. Toll is a little pricey, but it is a nice relaxing and scenic ride. There are lots of campgrounds in Cape May County if that works out to be an overnight stop,

Our daughter lives on the Outer Banks and we live near Worcester. We usually take 90 to 84 to 287 to GSP, NJ Turnpike and 13 and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. We occasionally take the Tappen Zee route, but right now there is construction and it is awful. The route down the Del Marva peninsula may be a little slower at times, but IMHO it beats the alternatives hands down. Been taking that trip, with and without the motorhome two to three times a year for 12 years.

Another option is 287 to NJTP to exit 7 - to 295 S - Del Mem Bridge. 95 S to Rt 1 to 13 - tolls all along the way - but not too bad a drive

PCronin68 wrote:
I am going over the TappanZee Bridge and going down Rt287 to Garden State Parkway.

I can't remember exactly, but there are portions of the GSP where RVs aren't allowed. I don't know if that's motor home or if they mean trailers as well.

Edit: Found that thread; it's just trucks...

Clicky

Everyone giving the same advice you're getting here. Take it or leave it...

jplante4 wrote:

PCronin68 wrote:
I am going over the TappanZee Bridge and going down Rt287 to Garden State Parkway.

I can't remember exactly, but there are portions of the GSP where RVs aren't allowed. I don't know if that's motor home or if they mean trailers as well.

my bad..I meant to say stay on rt287 back to rt95