Hubby and I are taking a quick trip while daughter is away at camp. Have always wanted to go to Charleston (loved Savannah). Have free Southwest tickets so best we can do is fly into Raleigh.
We arrive on a Monday night at 6:35pm
and depart Friday at 4:50pm. Thinking of Monday night on the Outer Banks, then Tues/Wed nights in Charleston and then Thursday night somewhere "fun" enroute back to Raleigh. Any suggestions for good overnight places the first and last night. I won't even tell you we are going in August! We know how hot and humid it will be. Thanks for your help.

Raleigh is a long long ride from the Outerbanks and way out of the way for such a short trip.

I would think you could drive to Wilmington in two hours.

If you are going to go ahead and drive, I would go ahead and drive to Charleston. Take I-40 to I-95 to I-26 and you are there.

When I make good time, it takes me about 3 1/2 hours.

Wow, so you think we could drive from RDU to Charleston in 3-1/2 hours? I would love to spend more time in Charleston.

It's around 250 miles and all interstate so depending upon your speed, that would tell you how long it takes. I know I average 80mph on the interstate and have a bit of a lead foot.

The distance to Nags Head from Raleigh is about the same but there are a lot of conjested 2 lane roads that drag that time out.

You could always just hop on the road and see how far you feel like driving. There are tons of little towns with chain hotels along the way on all three interstates.

lovetotravel2, Mapquest gives driving time to Charleston from Raleigh as about 4 hrs. 45 min. Now we make it in about 4 hours.......... Outer Banks would be way out of the way....... I would drive straight to Charleston Monday night. You'd be in your room by midnight, then have Tues., Wed., Thurs. nights in Charleston. I don't think any location on your return trip would be nearly as much fun as just staying in Charleston for three nights! I LOVE the place. (But, yes, you will *glow* in August!)