Charlottesville, VA would be an interesting destination. Thomas Jefferson's plantation of Monticello is worth the trip in itself. Skyline Drive near Charlottesville is a fun drive. Virginia is dotted with Civil War battlefields that are worth visiting. Richmond is home to Civil War museums. East of Richmond on the James River there is Williamsburg, ancient seat of the colony of Virginia with many of the old buildings still standing, and Jamestown, site of the first successful English-American colony in America.

As for North Carolina, the Outer Banks and Inner Banks are worth visiting and are served with ferries to help you get around. The failed first English-American colony, known as the Lost Colony, is situated just off the Outer Banks at Manteo. On the upper Outer Banks, at Kitty Hawk, is the site of the first successful aircraft flight, performed by the Wright Brothers in 1903. Bath, NC is not only the site of the first town in North Carolina but was home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. The port city of Wilmington is worth a visit.

Which airport are you coming to? I like renting at BWI if I am not going into DC with a car. Do you intend to spend a day or more checking out our nation's capitol?
I would consider riding the Amtrak Palmetto (89)from Washington DC to Charleston South Carolina and renting the car there for 10 or 11 days and returning by train. Lots to see in the South. Let us know more about your interests.

Thanks!

Yes we'd like to spend at least one full day in DC hence any tips about DC itself is highly appreciated. Especially the hidden gems, off the beaten track etc. That goes for the road trip itself. It's nice to find places that they don't tell you about in the guide books.

We're big fans of food, doesn't have to be fancy food though. Preferably not, budget wise. We like historical sights, but in moderation. One can only handle the tourist traps for so long, I think we both enjoy the nice little places of everyday life. Farmers market, those sort of things. Two years ago we were in Florida and fell in love with the town of Sarasota. Stayed right on the beach, was great. We love animals (everglades was great) and we got no kids.

We're flying into Dulles.

Take a hotel shuttle or public transport from Dulles to your DC area hotel. A hotel near a METRO station would be good. Rent the car downtown when you are ready to leave the city. Dulles is the least convenient airport for getting into the city.
I would suggest picking 2 or 3 southern cities and deciding whether to drive from DC or take the train and rent at the first city.

AS with any trip planning, sometimes getting a map and "connecting the dots" with places to see is good. There's a lot of interesting places and history and beauty to see on America's east coast which a train wouldn't allow. Two weeks is a nice amount of time also.
Washington would not to be missed on one end or the other. I often say that I think Americans do not value our capital nearly enough. It is a GREAT city, let alone history. One day is truly not enough.
Charleston is also just a great city for so much. I would choose it over Savannah and stay maybe 2 days.
The idea of Charlottesville and perhaps Williamsburg would be a nice tour of Virginia.
I think the Outer Banks are a bit far and remote. There are other beautiful beaches along the coast--with wonderful local food available.
You might look at Litchfield Golf and Beach Resort for a day or so on the beach since you say you loved that. The beach is realatively uncrowded. The Litchfield Inn would have rooms as might the resort. Mid-July will be HIGH season. There is also a Hampton Inn at Litchfield/Pawley's Island.
If you are driving, do stop in Georgetown just south of Pawley's and tour the historic district that dates from our Revolutionary War time.
If you do all this by car, it might be possible to either train or fly back from Charleston (or Myrtle Beach even--about two hours north of Charleston).
Welcome, and have a great time.

For a DC hotel, take a look at the Tabard Inn. It's a great value and somewhat off the radar (especially for American tourists - most of the guests are international). It's 2 blocks to the Dupont Metro station, an easy walk to the White House, and close to many dining and cafe options. The restaurant at the hotel is amazing - a "don't miss".

http://www.tabardinn.com/

If you are only staying in DC one night, then go ahead and drive into DC from the airport and pay for one nights parking. If you stay in DC longer, then wait until you check out of DC hotel to rent a car. You don't need one in the city and their is the expense of parking ($30-$40 per day).

As to stops on drive south: Charleston & Savannah, of course.

The beautiful outer banks of North Carolina is certainly off the beaten path, especially the car ferry from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island - which I highly recommend you do. You'll have mile after mile of ocean beaches with NO ONE around. Bring provisions for the driving leg from Nags head to Cedar Island and do stop along the way.

http://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm

Midway between Savannah and Florida is Jekyll Island, Georgia. Worth the slight detour - also check out nearby St. Simons Island and the town (city?) of Brunswick, Georgia.

http://www.jekyllisland.com/
http://www.explorestsimonsisland.com/
http://www.brunswickga.org/

Before I give any Florida recs, I should ask: I assume you are flying home from somewhere in Florida? Where exactly?

Great tips! Flying out from DC as well so have to return there. So I don't think we'll drive all the way to Florida.

Got it. You certainly have time to make it as far south as southern coastal Georgia, however. Also, you will only want to do the North Carolina outer banks in one direction as it is out of the way (but, again, worth doing).

Just one additional advice I would give to our European friends- America is a physically big place and distances that look fairly close on a map are often longer distances than a European would have calcualted.

good advice--and its REALLY hot and humid along the coast in July--highs in 90s with high humidity. as well--so bring light clothes and put on sun screen everyday.Comong from Sweden youd be a candidate for heat stroke if you stay out all day=--plan on resting in AC for while--plan well and youll enjoy yourself--For me i love Savannah--its a 2 day city with lots to see.and good local food spots--if you like architcure, its wonderful--you might check Tripadvisor.com and look at the variuos blogs for where your thinking of going

You could do an eastern trip down the coast. Annapolis and then over to the Delmarva peninsula and down. Hitting cute towns and then over to Williamsburg. Back track a bit to Richmond and then over to 95 to go down to Charlestown and Savannah. Then back up into the mountains to Charlottesville and back to DC.

I would consider heading west from Dulles, instead of going into the city first (especially without a car -- getting from Dulles into the city is very expensive - about $60-70 by taxi). Last year, we just had a few days (4 I think) so we headed west to Manassas, Charlottesville, then made a little circle through Lexington, Staunton and Appomattox and all the little towns, and then when we left Charlottesville for DC, we drove up the Skyline Drive, through Harpers Ferry and into DC, again hitting all the little towns in between. We even went tubing on the Potomac, which was a lot of fun.

Excellent advice by sf7307.

Just a note about i95 south to Charleston (not "town"). You can take I40 over to Wilmington from I95 and drive down the coast. See much more, good 4 lane road all the way, and not much further in time than DEADLY DEADLY dull I95.

That's what I would do. It's highway 17 and it goes through some interesting small towns.

Thanks for all the great advice. None of you have mentioned Chesapeake Bay and the peninsula bordering Maryland. Isn't that something to consider going back to DC?

You may have to choose between the Chesapeake Bay region and Charlottesville/etc. region. I think there is more to do/see/enjoy inland, but there is a LOT of natural beauty and small town things on the peninsula. Just the best use of time.

I will say again, however. Please allow enough time for our nation's capital. If you are there on a Friday go to the Marine Barracks "tattoo". The museums are unparallelled. The National Gallery is an art treasure. Let alone just seeing the buildings and architecture of a great country.

reklamtor,

Yes, returning to DC by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Route 13 and then Annapolis is a good idea. You'll see completely different types of places.

http://www.easternshorevisitor.com/

Charlottesville et al including Williamsburg are most likely not that interesting to Swedish visitors, and I have to confess that even DC isn't high on my list other than a brief tour to see the buildings et al in person (feel free to flame at this point). Sorry about that.

I think the typical American trip, can't find anywhere else, would include Charleston and Savannah, a leisurely drive up 17 to Wilmington, perhaps the outer banks, then up to Chincoteaque/Assateague for a day, DelMarva for sure with some of the small coastal towns, crabbing, boating maybe

Fun things to do:

A day in Beaufort, SC after a kayak trip of the marshes of the ACE basin, maybe a trip to Daufuskie Island

A boat trip to one of the Charleston barrier islands for an eco tour

A gullah tour in Charleston (depending on how good your English is -- can be very hard to understand the guide even for Americans)

Plantation tour: I personally liked Hopsewee the best. Stop in McClellanville and have lunch -- sadly the shrimp boats are disappearing.

Walking tours in Savannah -- I liked the hidden garden one. Definitely an overview tour by trolley in Savannah

Oyster roast on Bowen's Island, near Charleston

Driving down to Edisto Island through the live oaks, follow signs to the various landings on the way, stop at Piggly Wiggly and get fried chicken for lunch on the beach and watch the pelicans, and hope for dolphins

Lovely farmers' market in downtown Charleston, another in Mt.Pleasant

You will find your dollars will go further in the south for lodging and usually food. Sign up for both Groupon and Living Social deals for both Charleston and Savannah -- sometimes you can find a great deal on something you may want to do.

PS: Scratch Bowen's Island for oysters -- just realized our Swedish friends will be here in July but you can still have fish and shrimp etc. Note that shrimp in the US are more like scampi than shrimp, and served hot, usually breaded. Same goes for lobster (hot with butter) but you might like blue crabs in MD which are a fun experience but not like crabs found in Sweden.

"None of you have mentioned Chesapeake Bay and the peninsula bordering Maryland"

It's known as the Delmarva Peninsula, as birgator and I referenced it or the Eastern Shore mentioned by bardo1. It's largely a sailing, fishing, crabbing, and agricultural area. There are lots of cute towns including this one:

http://www.southernliving.com/travel/chesapeake-charm-00400000007395/

Other popular towns include St. Michaels and Chincoteague. It will take you 4 hours to drive from Annapolis to the Bay Bridge Tunnel without stops to give you a sense of distance.

Here's some more info:

http://www.southernliving.com/travel/mid-atlantic/charms-chesapeake-00400000007083/

It may not be oyster season in SC but you will still be able to get oysters. They will probably come from Texas and will still be delicous. Have some fried oysters "somewhere" along the SC coast (Murrell's Inlet near Litchfield has the best seafood on the coast north of Charleston) and you will be amazed--they are almost not breaded at all, succulent, and delicious. Ummmm, not all shrimp are served "breaded" and fried. Goodness. Not sure at all whaat is meant they are more like "scampi".

The shrimp comment was relative to Bowen's Island in the summer. Breaded and fried I believe, as is Seewee and the Wreck in the Charleston area. Of course not all shrimp is hot and breaded, but even the peel and eat is a far cry from the tiny cold water ones you find in Sweden. The only large shrimp you will find in Sweden that compare to ours here would be "scampi."

Another way to end up back in DC if on the Delmarva is to go through Chestertown, MD towards Lancaster, PA -- back road with lots of Amish farms, gorgeous trip to Strasburg, PA just below Lancaster. That's something different. It may be a loop, but it's not a very long one.

Gretchen, shouldn't that be "delicious" and "what"? Just teasing. I'm sure it's maddening when people spell it "Charlestown".

You can get shrimp fried or boiled during summer at almost any place in or around Charleston. I usually get fried when I'm out and just boil them at home. Yum.

I sense a great trip coming up. I'll let you know as we've decided on an itinerary. Thanks for all the advice!

personally betterbidding.com for a great downtown DC hotel

then head down the coast to Charleston area...

back up in the mountains to be cool www.blueridgeparkway.org

to Skyline Drive Front Royal back to DC simply beautiful.

classic.mapquest.com directions distances

carrentals.com best prices for me.

Happy Travels!

The only problem with "charlestown" is if you are looking it up with that spelling.

Where's best to stay in DC? Right in the middle or a place like Alexandria?

happy 4th!

In DC is best. Best neighborhoods are Dupont or Penn Quarter.

You have received many great suggestions. I echo everyone who has recommended that you must spend more than 1 day in DC. There is so much to see & do, such as all the monuments (Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, etc.), the wonderful and free Smithsonian museums, tour of the White House, the zoo, if you like zoos & much more.

I also highly recommend the Delmarva Peninsula, including a trip to Chincoteague, one of our favorite places. If you go to Chincoteague, I suggest the Waterside Motor Inn. The beach at Assateague is beautiful, you can see the wild ponies, rent bikes, etc. Annapolis is beautiful, too.

Savannah & Charleston are great, as is the Outer Banks, the Skyline Drive & Charlottesville, but you won't have time to do the Delmarva Peninsula & then go as far south as Savannah.

Have you been to the DC area before? There is so much to do there. I would not drive to Savanah, Ga. It is quaint but the drive 10 hours will take longer than the sights. Colonial Williamsburg is great. Monticello is awesome, Virginia Beach, etc. So much to do and only half the drive. What about driving north to see Niagara Falls? That is absolutely gorgeous.

My food recommendation is Rosa Mexicana. It's close to a metro stop at Gallery Place and has excellent food and atmosphere. Be sure to order the made-by-the-table guacamole and the tortilla soup. And don't forget to have a margarita!

http://www.rosamexicano.com/Locations/WashingtonDC/tabid/98/Default.aspx

Maybe I missed it, but I would recommend you head out to Loudoun County, specifically Leesburg (old Leesburg, near the courthouse, king street etc) and then take RT 15 to Middleburg. I grew up outside Middleburg and its a big equestrian mecca (most members of the past 5 Olympic Eventing team are either from Middleburg, Upperville, Leesburg, Purcellville or Lovettsville). You will see gorgeous farms, great houses, its just beautiful. Both towns are very Virginia, small quaint, with focus on locally owned stores.
Leesburg is also a big Civil War history area, which might interest you.
In Leesburg, I HIGHLY recommend Tuskies, the cafe side. Great food, moderately priced, local ingredients.
In Middleburg, the Upper Crust bakery is amazing, inexpensive, always busy. Its next to Safeway (the town has one stoplight, you can't miss it . Their sandwiches are so yummy and I have dreamt about their cookies since I was a child.

I think Charlottesville would be a great trip- Barboursville Vineyard is a neat place to see. Williamsburg further down the coast is great too-very cool Colonial history, "living villages," etc.

On your way back up from NC/SC, the Eastern Shore of Maryland- St. Michaels- great Farmers Market and the maritime museum is really neat. My parents recently moved from there, so im kinda biased

While these are all great suggestions, I'd also propose swinging further west, either going or coming from DC, and go down through WV or the Shenandoah Valley in Va. There's some stunning scenery in West Virginia, or you could stop in Floyd, Va., for some music. You could go on down into Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains, and then get back into North Carolina over the mountains and head back to your more coastal stops. (If you do that, I don't recommend Pigeon Forge, but there are many quieter areas with cabin rentals).

But whatever you decide, the view from I-95 is not the prettiest you can find. Also, be aware of traffic patterns going into and out of Dulles and DC, because rush hour there is nasty.

While I would agree that there are beautiful places, Tennessee is a LONG way west, and there are some really dull drives to get there also.
I also agree about 95 and that is why I always suggest taking 40 over to the coast for that drive south.

If you prefer mountains to the coast, Head west on I-66 to Front Royal Virginia and take the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Roanoke. Take I-81 either to Tennessee or back to the DC area. I-81 is much more scenic than I-95.

Again thanks for all the advice! The itinerary now looks as follows:

Day 1: Arrive Washington DC
Day 2: Washington DC
Day 3: Washington DC
Day 4: Drive for Savannah stop at Charlottesville...
Day 5: arrive Savannah
Day 6: Savannah
Day 7: Savannah
Day 8: Drive to Charleston
Day 9: Charleston
Day 10: Charleston
Day 11: Drive for Delmara Peninsula, stop somewhere along the way
Day 12: arrive Delmara Peninsula
Day 13: Delmara Peninsula
Day 14: Delmara Peninsula
Day 15: Fly home

My current headache is where to stay in Charleston. The historic area of course would be nice, but expensive. I'm torn between staying there or finding a cheap motel outside the city and then drive to town during the day. Or is there any other place around Charleston that you recommend? Preferably not more than 30 minutes from the historic district? Isle of Palms perhaps (also expensive but maybe worth it?). What do you think?

The Historic District is expensive because it's so convenient. You can park the car and leave it. Bestwestern King Charles has free parking. There are places in North Charleston and, while they cost less, some of them are in dicey locations and the traffic from N. Charleston into town during rush hours is horrendous. Post what you see and I'll give you information. I really think you won't regret spending the money so that you won't waste your valuable time sitting in traffic.

There are some hotels in Mt Pleasant near the Ravenel Bridge that might work. Isle of Palms is always nice.

reklamtor,

Your plan looks great! I would suggest you try to stay in Charleston historic center. I saw some option on Hotels.com (click on "show map") for around $200 night for this month.

Your original post said you were flying into DC "mid-July". If so, I would suggest nailing down hotel reservations NOW.

Looking forward to a trip report - have a great time!