Driving alone down I95 and can't leave DC until about 2 PM, so don't want to make trip in one day. Having trouble figuring our where is about 1/2 way - I am guessing something like Rocky Mount or Roanoke Rapids, NC and that I just find some chain hotel right off the highway. Does this make sense or is there a better plan.

Gail,
go to freetrip.com to find hotels in your price range along your way.

Recommend not stopping further south than Raleigh, and in fact, the I-40/I-95 interchange, although it has LOTS of chains around, isn't really where I recommend stopping. Most people do fine along I-95, but it's a little less comfortable for a female traveling alone (done it lots, but am cautious), and the Benson area motels (that I-40/95 area) have seen a little flurry of crime in the parking lots.

As far as I know, Rocky Mount is okay, but use the usual precautions (inside or second-floor room, etc.).

Once you're south of Raleigh, I'd keep on going til after South of the Border (i.e., SC border). Johnston County (the last county in NC on I-95) can be a little wild and wooly after dark.

Thanks. Have driven this trip many times (Boston-Savannah)but rarely alone and agree that I95 thru southern NC and SC can be a little sketchy - I have stopped to buy gas a few times in daylight and felt creepy. I am dropping 17 year old dtr in DC at a conference and then continuing onto Savannah to see son for a few days before reversing trip. Stopping in Charleston for a day since despite frequent trips to Savannah to see son in college have not spent much time in Charleston.

There's a little mecca of new motels etc at Lumberton, NC, and if you want to shop tons of outlets. Found it inhabited by travelers and felt comfy there...check w/Triple A.
We did DC/Charleston many many times with a kid at the College of Charleston.

Don't stop in Lumberton. Yuck.

Drive down to Florence.

Lumberton is in that very sketchy area just before the NC/SC border. Would NOT stop there alone unless it's midmorning, maybe.

Florence is where you want to be if you don't stop much earlier in NC. Try the Wilson or Smithfield areas.

Having arrived in Savannah and stopping in Rocky Mount for a night, I wonder if anyone stops and sleeps between Richmond and Charleston. I picked what I thought was a middle-of-the-price-range Best Western in Rocky Mount. I should have wondered when my car's GPS would not locate the address, the hotel name, or even the road. Called and got directions "exit 145 - we are right there". They were.

Along with 3 other non-descript chain hotels, a Shoneys, a Waffle House and a gas station. That was about it. Maybe an Arbees - don't remember. Arrived just after dark and was not happy to find outdoor corridors - but hotel was clean and staff pleasant enough.

But there was nothing to eat anywhere. Got back on highway and figured I would drive to next Rocky Mount exit. It was 7 miles! A wider collection of fast food and budget restaurants - even a salad and pizza would have done it, but nothing but burgers. I found myself thinking I really shouldn't be here, but grabbed a drive-thru meal, drove back to creepy hotel, chained door, and opened a bottle of wine I had packed and watched American Idol.

I will be making this trip again - so if anyone has better suggestion, they would be welcome. I think when possible I will time my trip to avoid stopping in this area (with apologies to all those who actually live in this area - maybe you have some ideas for me)