Driving on NC beaches
 

Just got a Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4 a few months ago, and I want to go driving on a NC beach. Any recommendations for a first-time drive on the sand?

Yes, lower the air pressure in your tires.

Thanks Dukey1 - I've heard that, too. I guess I should've been more specific in my post. I meant that I wanted recommendations for where to drive.

Outer Banks! Of course, I don't know how much damage was done with the last hurricane.

I don't know any that allow it any more.

Yes, you can drive on the beach and if you're willing one of the best places to find out about this sort of thing is the message board at www.outerbanksconnection.com

It's free sign-up and I guarantee you will get THE information you need and the most current.

The Outer Banks did not suffer much from the last hurricane. Our relatives did not even lose power in Nag's Head.

There is a ton of information available by googling including a state operated site that lists beach regulations, including driving and dogs, town by town.

According to this site, in general, it is much harder to find a place to drive from May through September. You also can't park or picnic on the hard sand (below the high tide line) so, you will need to do as Dukey1 says, "air down" to maybe 13 pounds. You will then need to refill your tires fairly quickly when you get back to the road or you will have unhappy consequences. Find the refill point before you go on the beach.

Driving in sand will cut your mileage in half, maybe more. Make sure your tank is full, and maybe take a can of emergency gas, but ask locally. You should carry a shovel, a jack, and a piece or two of plywood

Finally, what happens if you get really stuck? Find out in advance. Where I live in Massachusetts, a beach tow is a MINIMUM of $250 IN CASH. If you don't have cash, the tow truck will be happy to follow you to the nearest ATM. They do not accept AAA, OnStar, Mercedes or any other recovery/towing package.

Finally, check the tides. I have only seen four vehicles up to their windows in water over the last fifteen years, but if it is your vehicle, it will not make you happy. On an Atlantic beach, if the windows are down, it will quickly fill up with sand. If they are not down, the tide may roll the vehicle on its side.

Despite these dire warnings, lots of people drive happily on beaches and have a lot of fun. You just have to use your mind as well as your gearshift.

Oh, PLEASE..Rte 12 was BREACHED in five different places and Hatteras Island was CLOSED to outsiders FOR WEEKS...Nags Head got VERY lucky.

I thought it was hit pretty badly. Thanks Dukey1

Sorry, Dukey.

It never occured to me that he would go to those areas since they were so badly hit, and he sounded ready to get rolling right away.

Thanks everyone for your input! Looks like we're heading to the Outer Banks for my birthday weekend, which just happens to be this weekend. SHE is looking forward to riding along while her husband drives HER FJ ;)

Trip report: So, we drove up to Corolla and went out on the beach where Hwy 12 ends. The tide was out, and the beach was nice and wide with packed sand. We put it in 4WD and had no problems whatsoever. What a blast! In some places, there were ridges in the sand (picture speed bumps) that were fun to take at a pretty fast clip. There was plenty of traffic on the beach but not so much that we got in each other's way. We also had the added bonus of seeing some of the wild horses up-close and personal. It was about an 11-mile drive up to the VA end of the beach, so we made the trip a couple of times. It was a gorgeous drive and a whole lotta fun! I hope we can make this a new birthday tradition.

Great!

I think you have come back already but I would have said (if I was not on vacation myself) to watch for the turtle hatcheries as they are usually marked off with tape. And Always watch out for people. Sometime the tracks that vehicles follow are near cars but kids don't always look when they walk to the back of the parked trucks/jeeps. Just be/hope you were, careful.