Best route from PA | OBX Connection Message Board (2024)

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 3:48 PM

We will be coming from Breezewood, PA, and ending up in Buxton, NC. I would like to take 17 but I don't know how far to take it. We don't mind taking smaller routes. I would prefer to avoid toll roads and traffic. However, a few inexpensive tolls wouldn't be an issue. We will leave very early Sunday(7/08). Usually, we sit in hours of traffic in VA and WMB. Lastly, is it worth it to avoid WMB, especially because we are going South 12? Thank you in advance for any information!!

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 4:01 PM

Stop at the Virginia Diner in Wakefield for lunch and pick up some good Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts to take to the OBX.

Mind your speed on 460 - it's a nice relaxing drive.

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 4:15 PM

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 5:03 PM

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 5:08 PM

- Take a rigth onto US13S/US58W (the Suffolk bypass) and continue on US13S to the end of the bypass; it dumps out onto a regular highway as US13S on the south side of Suffolk.
- After 1 mile take VA32 to the left, which becomes NC32.
- At Sunbury NC, you have a decision. If you want to go into the OBX via the WMB and KH, then turn left on US158E. When you near Elizabeth City, turn left onto US17N for 1 mile, then bear right onto NC343. Follow to US158, and trun left (east), and follow to the WMB.
- If you want to avoid the WMB (a good idea for the time you will arrive), then go straight on NC32 at Sunbury, NC. When you near Edenton, NC, go left (east) on the ramp for US17N, go east for about 4-5 miles, turn right on NC37 S, which joins NC94. Keep straight on NC94, and cross the long bridge over the Albemarle Sound (beautiful). 2 miles after this bridge, keep left on NC94, and then get onto US64 east after afew more miles. Take this all the way to Whalebone Junction at Nags Head and turn S on NC12 to Buxton.

The last set of directions takes us about 1 hour longer to reach Hatteras Island than the direct route, coming from western VA. But you avoid all the traffic and cities and tolls, and is faster, traffic-jam-free and far less stressful in the summer. And, it is a pretty drive. It should take about 10 hours drivng time from Breezewood via this route combined with Jstangl's route onto US460 south of Richmond.

Enjoy!

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 5:12 PM

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 7:32 PM

Date Posted: 6/4/2012 9:41 PM

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 10:49 AM

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 11:54 AM

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 12:01 PM

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 12:12 PM

We have used Rt. 460 from Petersburg to Suffolk for 25 years without any speeding tickets, and usually we have 2 or 3 cars following each other. I cannot speak for the driving habits of others, but we have never encountered any problems, either with traffic or police. If you are inclined to ignore speed limits, then you may eventually be ticketed no matter what route you take.

Exactly!

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 3:44 PM

Go down I-70 until you hit the 522 turnoff through Berkeley Springs - over to Winchester till you hit I-81 South to I-66 East over to 17 - follow that till you hit I-95 at Fredricksburg. Get on I-95 - to I-295 and take that till you hit 460 East. Take 460 through Wakefield all the way over to 58 around Suffolk and it will take you to I-664 - take that to the Chesapeake Expressway - the Expressway is the only toll. Follow that down to 168 and then to 158 at Barco and then head to the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge.

Stop at the Virginia Diner in Wakefield for lunch and pick up some good Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts to take to the OBX.

Mind your speed on 460 - it's a nice relaxing drive.

We also come from central PA... i think this route has been named the "choice" for the drive from this part of the state. We recently switched to the 460 part of the trip and absolutely loved it. A much more enjoyable drive with less traffic... and includes the Virginia Diner, which has become a must-stop for us.

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 3:52 PM

Date Posted: 6/5/2012 10:37 PM

Date Posted: 6/6/2012 7:28 AM

I'll be coming thru Breezewood via Pittsburgh and can tell you: staying on 522 to Winchester, then 17 (et al) through to Fredericksburg avoids one major traqffic snafu...the Beltway...without adding any time on to the trip. (its actually quicker because from DC to Fredericksburg is just downright gnarly)
From there we take 95 to Petersburg and hit 460 down...I haven't been ticketed, but then again, I'm not lead-footin' either.
On the way home this is especially nice because 64 is a parking lot.
No stress, less traffic, and a scenic route.
one of those win-win-wins...

Try 295 outside of Richmond instead. You will bypass having to go through Richmond. 95 can be really twisty and the road is not ib the best shape around the city.

Date Posted: 6/6/2012 1:08 PM

Date Posted: 6/6/2012 1:32 PM

Date Posted: 6/6/2012 2:52 PM

Try 295 outside of Richmond instead. You will bypass having to go through Richmond. 95 can be really twisty and the road is not ib the best shape around the city.

Definately...295 is much nicer