Look at vrbo.com.

The problem with "Charleston area beaches" will be your sons and your desire for nightlife. When you are staying on the Isle of Palms (for example) there are limited options - and you'll need to drive into Charleston if you want to take advantage of Charleston options.

I guess it depends on how much "nightlife" you are looking for.

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, when you refer to nightlife. I've never thought of the Outer Banks being active at night, but I could have missed all the fun. Personally, I doubt your boys would like the beaches near Charleston or those in Georgia. IMHO, the Florida beaches are better, but the east coast beaches won't have a much warmer water temp than you will find further north. If you were willing to drive a bit further to one of the west coast beaches in Florida, I think you'd find everything you're looking for.

You have not missed the Outer Banks nightlife, there really isn't any. I think the guys would just like to have something to do in the evenings rather than sit & watch tv etc. As for the gulf coast area, that would be nice but it's 10 or 12 hours away from Durham and then a very long drive back to Ohio. I'm beginning to think it might just be better to come home after the convention in Durham and then go back to the Outer Banks in July as we have been doing in the past.

There is night life in the Outer Banks although not in the northern or southern points. There are clubs in Nagshead, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk.

This is getting difficult.

I-95 is always busy because it is a main artery for the entire East Coast of the United States. It runs through the largest cities in the US; Miami, Jax, DC, Baltimore, NYC, etc.

If you avoid it trying to get to the beaches, you'll spend even more time on the road.

Friday heading south and Monday heading north on I-95 will be extremely busy but other than that you will be fine.

Geographically, there really isn't a big difference in the beaches between Cape Canaveral and the SC/NC line.

If you look at maps of the Gulf Stream, it starts to make its turn out to sea around Cape Canaveral and the path cuts all the way up through the coast of South Carolina.

That said, the beaches around Charleston would be great for your family for that time period. Within a four hour drive of Durham, the beaches are very pretty, the temps will be warm, you can comfortably swim in the ocean, and you are 20 minutes to downtown Charleston which has fantastic dining, shopping, attractions, and nightlife.

I know I sound like a broken record but Wild Dunes would be an excellent fit for your family.

Your plan is certainly very do-able.

GoTravel is correct. NICE beach. NICE area.

Still doing my DD. All this cold (3 degrees F this am) weather is great incentive to go south.

My vote is for the Isle of Palms,Sullivans Island or Folley Beach. The beaches are nice, plenty of rentals and restaurants/beach bars. I would avoid Memorial Day weekend like the plauge though.

Hilton Head. Lots of condo options. Great beaches. Wonderful restaurants with some nightlife. Check out condo options in Sea Pines.

Interesting comment about memorial day weekend.. I know about the Myrtle Beach problem that weekend but... does that extend down to the Charleston area? As stated earlier, we are attending a convention in Durham, NC that weekend and would be arriving at our vacation destination on Sunday evening the 27th.
Hilton Head is too pretentious so not a consideration. We are leaning towards the Charleston area or the northeast coast of Florida. No decision yet, main concern is driving distance, water temperature & a Sunday to Sunday rental. Oh yeah, a nice beach too.

No, Black Bike Week isn't any further south than probably the airport. Surfside, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, and Pawleys don't really get bikers.

If you are concerned about a long drive, visit one of the Brunswick County NC beaches: Sunset, Ocean Isle, Holden, Oak Island. Nice beaches, lots of rental homes (not sure about Sun to Sun). Water temp will be in the same range as the other places you are thinking about visiting.

Very easy to get to esp. with the Wilmington bypass. I-40 until the exit that says "Brunswick County beaches" then less than an hour to the beach house.

If the weather is disagreeable, you can head into Wilmington or to the aquarium.

Finally made a decision & we will go to to the Crescent Beach area just south of St Augustine, Fla. It's on the edge of our drive time requirement but fits very well with everything else, including a less that a full week required condo rental. Thanks to all for you suggestions and information.

I don't know the place, but it seems a LONG way to drive and pass some of the prettiest beaches in the country!! It will be VERY warm in NC/SC the first of June--as you will find out in Durham. Just an FYI for spending two driving days in the car.