How to Avoid Outer Banks Traffic
Driving on the Outer Banks isn’t too challenging.
There are only two main roads, both of which run in a North-South direction. You can cruise the beach road, aka Highway 12, and enjoy a slow drive along the beach. You can also opt to drive on Highway 158, which is a four-lane road with a center turn lane. It's the main artery along the Outer Banks and usually is faster.
In the summer, the population swells to approximately 350,000 visitors each week, making driving more challenging.
Here are three tips to avoid as much traffic as possible on your Outer Banks vacation.
Be Patient
While there are countless reasons to get frustrated by driving on the Outer Banks, no matter the situation, it's best to simply be patient. Everyone on the Outer Banks is trying to get somewhere and there are only the two roads to accomplish that goal. The laid back beach attitude holds true on the roads.
Being patient is the best possible way to deal with any traffic issues you encounter and it will maintain your vacation relaxation vibes.
Avoid School Hours
To further avoid any potential frustrations and stress on your Outer Banks vacation, avoiding the roads around school drop off and pick up helps immensely!
Most of the schools in Dare County are on the same time table. Drop off in the morning is between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and pick up in the afternoon is between 2:30 and 3:30 PM. The traffic gets particularly congested in Manteo with elementary, middle, and high school having the same hours and being quite close to the main thoroughfare.
Luckily, it's not a huge problem, but might add fifteen or twenty extra minutes to your travel time if you get caught in traffic. Driving during school hours along the main road is less problematic, but always beware of school buses turning and stopping to drop off local children.
Don’t Drive on Weekends
The busiest day by far on the Outer Banks is Saturday.
Most of the vacation homes change over on Saturdays. This means groups leave, the home is cleaned, and new guests come into the homes – all in one day.
The most challenging area to drive, and the most popular to visit, is Duck. There is only one road to Duck and it's two-lanes. Close to 60% of all seasonal rental homes are located on Dare County's northern beaches. Some quick math tells us that around 250,000 tourists are visiting the northern beaches each week. That's bound to cause some congestion!
If you don't have to venture out on Saturday, don't. Snuggle in with a good book and a movie or sunbathe in the backyard. If you do have to go out, try to avoid the hours between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, when traffic on the northern beach roads is at its peak.
Pro Tip: Many visitors stock up on groceries for the week before going to their home. Saturday is the busiest day at the grocery stores and many items fly off the shelves. Pack the essentials with you and shop on Sunday morning for a much better experience!
These three, easy to manage, tips will take your experience during your next Outer Banks vacation from awesome to exceptional. By planning your trips with this information in mind, you can navigate the Outer Banks like an expert, even if it's your first visit.