What can we do of interest and where is there a charming place to stay 1 or 2 nights?

Mapquest says the direct route (I-95) is a 580 mile/ 8-9 hour drive. We'd gladly take a detour, to find charming scenery, historic towns or nice accommodation. (...Though we'd rather not detour, then backtrack along the same route.)

Last year we detoured to Chapel hill and stayed at the Carolina Inn. A successful side trip but we'd like to canvass other options.

FYI: We depart Washington DC on Monday December 29 and we must arrive in Savannah GA late day December 31.

We have made the drive from DC to Savannah many times - your time is unrealistic. Even if you hit no traffic, never stopped for gas, never used a bathroom or ate, 580 miles in 8 hours is averaging over 70 mph. You can not possibly do that.

On I95 there is not much - I tried to find a hotel at some reasonably safe and interesting place in NC and have been unable. How far off I95 are you willing to go? You might consider driving most of the trip and spending some time in Charleston, SC

You could visit South of the Border on the border of NC and SC.

www.pedroland.com

I would suggest Lumberton, NC. There is a very good Outback near the highway; they offer early bird specials.

ekscrunchy: BUSTED, LOL!

gail: My point in quoting distance and time was just to indicate that we have plenty of time to spare. With 3 days we shd be able to do sthg quite interesting, I hope. Detours are not a problem.

I have driven the Outer Banks but it's the wrong season, alas. Someone last year suggested going WAY west to Asheville but that seems perhaps a bit TOO far.

If nothing else comes up, we cd go to Charleston but I'd rather "save" it for later day trips or overnights -- we're in GA for a month.

Oh, and if you do decide on Lumberton as your stop, I would suggest that you pay a visit to a very moving memorial to a person who was actually a Fodor's poster at one time...just ask at your hotel, or at the Outback, for directions..

Consider getting off 95 south of the NC border and taking US 17 to Savannah. It makes a very nice trip over three days.

You can visit Little Washington (NC), New Bern, Wilmington, skim around Myrtle Beach (think Ocean City), and see Pawley's Island and Georgetown, SC. US 17 will take you to Charleston, but you can avoid it and go on to Savannah on 17 via Beaufort.

Lots of plantations, historic towns, small town/small city atmosphere.

I saw some nice places to stay in New Bern and wondered if this might be a good route to take.

I also enjoyed Chapel Hill and would not mind that route, as an alternative.

But as a landlubber central Canadian -- whose family roots however are in Nova Scotia, back to the 1770s -- I am fascinated by the ocean. As long as it's not too desolate at that time of year...

Wilmington, Wilmington, Wilmington! I'd move there tomorrow if I could. Don't know about it in December, but the riverfront is charming, the old homes magnificent. And Wrightsville Beach, about 15 minutes away, has a restaurant with the best fried oysters I have ever, ever had! (South Beach restaurant, if I remember the name correctly; it's just over the main bridge from Wilmington.)

And I second that US 17 is a lovely drive with Beaufort another charming town with terrific food.

I'd also vote for Wilmington and for meandering down Route 17 for awhile and enjoying Charleston. Both areas are pretty special.

As to Lumberton you might just want to skip that cause there's a ghost that haunts that area and picks on Fodors folks. Poor thing had been murdered after she had asked for "good" advice and neglected to take it.

Instead of starting south on I95, you can take Rt 301 south. Between DC and Richmond there is the George Washington National Park at the place that George grew up. The actual home is not there, but there is a farm that recreates the one that he would recognize with historically correct farm animals. It is an interesting place and worth a visit. Nearby is the home and plantation where Robert E grew up. Also quite interesting. Both are just a few miles off of 301. Staying south on 301 you will intersect with 95 at Richmond.