Best way to Emerald Isle NC from 95

[neilnbe]

We're heading south from New England to Emerald Isle NC next week. What's the best cut over route from route 95? I'm not sure I want to trust the GPS to take us the best route with an RV. I have the Rand McNally RV GPS but it's no replacement for experience. What have you found to be the best route?

[NCWriter]

Sloop Smitten wrote:
Used to take I-95 S to I-795 S to US70 E to US-17 S to NC-58 S to Emerald Isle. Takes advantage of 4 lane highways.

Agree. We live down EI way and since 795 (near Wilson) opened, it's the best route coming from the north leaving 95.

One note - you don't really need to stay on 17 all the way to outskirts of New Bern. Locals cut the corner by exiting 70 onto NC 41 down to Trenton and join 58/17 there just below Pollocksville. Head for Maysville where you'll turn left on 58 for Emerald Isle.

(Trenton, Pollocksville and Maysville are all very small towns, not much traffic, two lane roads...quick to get past but heed the speed limits.)

You definitely want to get onto the island via 58 at the Cape Carteret end. Don't get on at the Morehead City/Atlantic end, it'll take forever to crawl down the island in the summer.

[FormerBoater]

I-95 South to US70 east, exit onto US 17South to US 58 will bring you onto the southwestern portion of the barrier island entering the town of Emerald Isle.

This way you do not have to travel through New Bern, Morehead City and Atlantic Beach to reach Emerald Isle.

[Sloop_Smitten]

Used to take I-95 S to I-795 S to US70 E to US-17 S to NC-58 S to Emerald Isle. Takes advantage of 4 lane highways.