Natural Bridge . . . I lived in Roanoke '96-'98 and found Natural Bridge underwhelming. Did I miss something?

Valerie

There's not much to see in Charlotte - skip that - just a big city. Don't miss Savannah and Charleston. Beaufort, SC, is very nice. You could try staying in the one of the inns in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Don't miss Jefferson's home - Monticello. Knoxville is okay, but Nashville is more fun - go see some good country music. There are some lovely small towns in the NC mountains - Blowing Rock, near Boone, and Cashiers and Highlands, closer to Atlanta. Great hiking, scenery and shopping. The time of the year you are going will be great, but bring a fleece jacket for the mountains.

I would take exception to the Charlotte comment but since they are obviously knowledge challenged (Nashville ?!?!, please look at a map), I'll let it go. The Blue Ridge Parkway should certainly be considered. There are also some pretty good wines in both NC & Va. I would probably meander down the Parkway, then cut over & go back up the beach. Whenever you get to specifics, let us know & I'm sure we can provide. I am guessing 3 or 4 'bases' along the way ?

Another interesting drive is the Natchez Trace. We drove the first 100 or miles or so south out of the Nashville area to the MS line this past August before turning back to to the south and east.... Just something else to ponder.

http://www.nps.gov/natt/

Well, enlighten me, then, oh wise SAnParis,what do you think are the "must see" sights of Charlotte?

Folks, do these people want to spend 4 weeks in a car or get out now and then. Nashville? Natchez Trace--from Dulles? Geography challenged!! ;o(
I wouldn't suggest stopping in Charlotte on this trip either--and I live here. It is a bit out of the way from the coast. But they might hit it on the way back to Dulles. I'd strike out south immediately.
The Carolina coast will be beautiful that time of year and there are any azalea festivals.
I suggest these folks decide what cities they would like to visit and for how long. Wilmington, NC is worth a day for its historic district. Drive down the coast toward Charleston. Stop by Pawley's Island for some great seafood. I'd do 4 days in Charleston, 2 in Savannah for starters. Add on a day trip to Beaufort. I thnk we've already used about 10 days of 28.
I also suggest leaving out most of FL and especially the Keys. Make that a separate trip such as New Orleans and FL.
Head up the interstate toward Ashville. You can head off toward the Parkway at Hendersonville and visit the PIsgah Forest and the Appalachian Parkway in that area. Even go to Cherokee and go through the GSMNP to get toward Knoxville.
After visiting in Knoxville, head back to DC. Take I81 north outside Knoxville and hit the Virginia portion of your trip.
This is all from memory but I don't see FL in your trip unless you just want to drive and drive. It is a VERY long coastline and interesting. It would be better all on its own.

brewlew - There are a virtual plethora of posts on here regarding Charlotte, just do a search. I didn't say they should stop in CLT, but there is plenty of worthwhile things to do. They'll be hard pressed to find Museums & such if that have that interest (except in DC of course). Anyone that would suggest they drive to Nashville from DC, well, your credibility is already lacking, I don't really need to dwell on that topic. Cashiers is probably a good 3 hours from Atlanta also.

And you are correct in all that SanParis. Thanks for covering it.

We Charlotteans (even us adopted ones) have to stick together.

Update on our itinerary...I think we are going to eliminate the Keys from this trip. When DH heard that there aren't really any beaches there he said 'forget it'.
But we will go as far as St Augustine.
I have a lot more research to do before I get this itinerary correct...first I have to decide what we do when we first arrive. Options are go into DC and spend 1 or 2 nights (we've never been there)OR head for Colonial Williamsburg area and see that before heading to Outer Banks...
I don't want to short myself on days at the other end because I know we will really enjoy the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Smokies, Asheville, etc. And that will be on our way back to IAD at the end of the 4 wks.

You should see DC if you haven't. I do believe that our capital is not nearly as valued as a city of great beauty and interest as it should be.
If you are also doing Williamsburg (which I also heartily approve) then you definitely will need to edit some of the rest of the trip. I agree about the Keys, but not because of "no beaches". It is just TOO d___ far.
Outer Banks? A LONG way to drive also and will require some planning for editing further on down.
At that point of heading down the Carolina coast, you might like to consider getting on I40 and heading for Knoxville to visit your friends. You will pass through Ashville, but in order to get back to your itinerary, you will do it on the return also, so choose when you visit.
From Knoxville, take I40 back to Asheville to I26 south to Charleston.
Head south to Savannah, and St. Augustine, if you must.
Take I95 back north, but it is far inland so you won't see any more Carolina beaches doing it this way. But by this time, I think you will need to get to DC and the airport.
Four weeks is a nice length of time and should be enough--if you choose your destinations. It is a very long loop.
My alternate route doesn't get you on the Blue Ridge Parkway, although it is possible to do it around Asheville--and you could do the cut through the GSMNP on your return trip from Knoxville,

I meant to add, that of course, there are beaches on the Keys.

You may want to include Chimney Rock when you are in the Asheville area. Drive around the Smokey Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This is our itinerary so far for April 17 thru May 15, 07:
Day 1 - Arrive 4pm IAD, drive to Colonial Williamsburg – stay 3 nights
Day 4 – Drive to Outer Banks, NC – stay 3 nights
Day 7 – Drive to Myrtle Beach – stay 3 nights
Day 10 – Drive to Charleston, SC – stay 3 nights
Day 13 – Drive to Savannah, GA –stay 3 nights
Day 16 – Drive to St Augustine, FL – stay 3 nights
Day 19 – Drive to Asheville, NC – overnight on way? It is almost 600 miles
Day 20 – Arrive Asheville, NC – stay 3 nights?
This is where I am not sure what to do. I need to work my way back towards IAD for a 6pm flight home on May 15. Hoping to fit in BRP/Charlottesville/Monticello/and maybe at least part of Shenandoah NP. I have 6 nights left to use.
All suggestions welcomed...Thank you in advance

What happened to Knoxville and friends.
Three days in Savannah is too much. Add on to Charleston or somewhere else. There are more attractive beach places than Myrtle Beach--by FAR.
Why are you going to Ashville? If you want to drive the Parkway you could come up through Columbia and Charlotte and head north and hit the parkway to drive up through Virginia.
Outer Banks to MB (area, if you're smart) will be a day's drive. The rest of the driving distances aren't too bad but you need to clock in some driving times.

Knoxville is still in the plan when we're near or on way to Asheville (a little over 100 miles away). Reason for Asheville is Smokies. I checked mileages and got OBX to Myrtle Beach at 365. Is that not correct? We don't need to stay right IN MB but that area is one of our destinations along the coast. I can certainly add a day to Charleston. Thanks

Yes, the distance is right but it is a long coastal drive also.
If you are going to Knoxville I suggest you bypass Ashville on the way--take the hypotenuse through the Smokies--and take I40 toward Ashville on the way back. However by that time, you may want to head on up i81 toward Bristol and Virginia.
Have you arranged your car rental yet?

Yes, air & car are already reserved.

I think Gretchen is giving you some very practical advice.

I love Myrtle Beach but largely because it is my home, and I know what to do and what to avoid to make it a great place to live. MB is much more a -place to relax for a week on the beach (or golf course if you're so inclined) than a place you'd want to include on a trip such as yours for things to see.

SAnParis, you should probably admit something similar about Charlotte--sorry, I lived there for years, and it is simply not a vacation/sight-seeing destination. I think you dealt harshly with brewlew.

So, back on point. TAW, free up more time by spending a night in Wilmington NC after the Outer Banks. Then go ahead and drive to Charleston SC. It will probably be the best place you travel to. And you can get a good beach experience near there (Folly Island, Isle of Palms).

The extra days you save by cutting out Myrtle Beach should be added back to the last, northern leg of your journey.

And again, I agree with Gretchen, you've GOT TO spend some time in Washington DC. At least spend a day (or two or three) in the mall area and experience the monuments and museums. Vastly underrated by many people.

Good job, Chuck. I think San and my problem with the Charlotte remark was that it was so offhand.
I sort of wish these folks would not go as far south as St. Augustine too. They seemed to want to see "beaches" and there are sure some pretty ones along NC and SC--and Georgia. And a lot of historic interesting things too.
And maybe they can tack the DC sightseeing on at the end, since they need to depart from Dulles.