Virginia Beach to Charleston Stop
 

This is a bit like a previous post, but want to double check. We will be driving from Virginia Beach to Charleston, SC May 5th. We thought we would drive straight through and spend 3 nights in Charleston. We are now deciding we want to break up the drive. Is Wilmington, NC the obvious choice? 4 hours there and then 3 the next day to Charleston? We want to arrive early in Charleston since this will cut our stay down to 2 nights (in Charkeston).

Is there some reason why you want to stop? I do that drive in a day. It's not hard. Wilmington is very nice, but, if it were me, I'd get here to Charleston as quickly as possible. 2 nights is not much.

How long of a drive is it? My preference IS to spend 3 nights in Charleston. I just thought the drive might be too much in one day. Any route better than another?

Thanks for your advice,

It will take about 6 hours once you get out to I95. I95 is boring and busy, but it's the quickest route to I26, which is the interstate that goes directly into Charleston. To get off and go to Wilmington will take you well off 95. You will see many signs advertising "South of the border". It is a big tourist trap, but the bathrooms are big and clean if you need a break. Otherwise don't be tempted :)

Wilmington does take them off I95 but I95 also swings really far west before it comes back. If it is "6 once you get to 95) then the Wilmington route might be much more interesting and just about as fast. But I agree with you about just going on to Charleston in one longish day of driving. Coming down 17 along the coast is really not bad at all from Wilmington--3 hours pretty easily. Good places to stop for meals too. LIKE the SeeWee!! They could do it!!

Yes you are right and it certainly is more attractive. I usually just get on 95 set the cruise control. start the John Grisham book-on-CD and before I know it, I'm in DC.

Coming north I would certainly do that--and of course, you know the coast already.

Right and it's still much prettier than 95. And the Seewee could be the dealbreaker!

We are convinced. We will drive down in one day. Thanks for all of the comments. Unfortunately, it will need to be a drive without many stops. Maybe we'll leave Virginia Beach early and stop for breakfast on the way.

New Bern. Topsail Island. Wilmington.

Here's a few joints to stop and rest on your way S.

Take Exit 138 off I 95 at Rocky Mt., NC and go E on I 64 for 1 1/2 miles to Exit 466 and go S on N Winstead Ave. to Sunset Ave. Take a right and go to Gardner's BBQ. Gardner's has 3 locations in Rocky Mt., NC but this one on Sunset is the most convenient to I 95. You will pass a Hampton Inn on your right when you exit I 64.
Gardner's Barbecue @ 3651 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 252 - 443 - 3996. I64/EXIT468A.
http://www.gardnerfoods.com/Home.html
Get off I 95 at Exit 90 just S of Smithfield, NC to your right and turn back N on Highway 301 and go to White Swan BBQ for good road food.
White Swan BBQ @ 3198 South Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 919 - 934 - 8913.
http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com/
For outstanding BBQ and country fried chicken get off I 95 at Exit 79 at Benson, NC and go W on E Main Street to N Fayetteville Street which is the first street to your right. Take a right and go N to E Church Street. Take a right and go to N Honeycutt Street. White Swan will be on your left.
White Swan BBQ and Fried Chicken @ 105 N Honeycutt St, Benson, NC 919 - 894 - 4446.
http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com/
At Exit 73 in Dunn, NC get off I 95 going W on Cumberland go about a mile take a right on General Lee and next left on Broad for some fine fried chicken at Kim's. Don't let the name bother you. They sell a BBQ sandwich but 99% country food.

Kim's BBQ House @ 900 W. Broad St., Dunn, NC. 910 - 892 - 7750.
Heading S on I 95 at Exit 56 try Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ at Fayetteville, NC. They sell a good burger and also a buffet lunch with fried chicken.

Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ @ 113 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville, NC. 910 - 484 - 5109.
http://www.fullersbbq.com/index.html
Get off I 95 at Exit 20 in Lumberton, NC to the right then turn NW on Highway 201 which is N Roberts Ave. and go about half a mile to Fuller's BBQ for good road food.
Fuller's Old Fashion BBQ @ 3201 N Roberts Ave., Lumberton, NC. 910 - 738 - 8694.
http://www.fullersbbq.com/index.html
For some fine country road food get off I 95 at Exit 2 at Rowland, NC and go W on # 130 which is Main St. to S Railroad. Take a left and go 2 blocks to The Pink Restaurant on Church St.
Pink Restaurant @ 104 West Church St., Rowland, NC 910 - 422 - 0020.
Get off I 95 at Exit 181B near Latta, SC and go one mile to Highway 917. Take a left and go about 3 miles to Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant at Latta, SC. Spend the night in a soft bed in a grand old inn and have a fantastic dinner.
Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant @ 307 Church Street, Latta, SC 843 - 752 - 5090.
http://www.abingdonmanor.com/
In SC get off I 95 at Exit 160 A going S and go E on # 20 less than a mile to Red Bone Alley in Florence Mall Shopping Center on Palmetto St. for a RBA Black and Bleu Burger or a Bubba Burger. The food is fresh and innovative South Carolina regional cuisine. Closely tied to the land, sea and rivers that abound in the region, South Carolina's cuisine is influenced by hundred of years of French, Mediterranean, African, English and West Indian cooking. Or go to Apple Annie's for good road food. There's a fine Hilton Garden Inn at Exit 160 A.

Redbone Alley @ 1903 West Palmetto St., Florence, SC 843 - 673 - 0035.
http://www.redbonealley.com/
Apple Annie's Deli and Pub @ 1720 W Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 843 - 669 - 6247.
Hilton Garden Inn @ 2671 Hospitality Boulevard, Florence, SC 843 - 432 - 3001.
http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en...tyhocn=FLOFGGI
Get off I 95 at Exit 119 at Manning, SC and go E on Highway 261 to N Brooks Street. Take a left and go to McCabe's for good BBQ.
McCabe's Bar B Que @ 480 N. Brooks St., Manning, SC. 803 - 435 - 2833.
Get off I 95 in Summerton, SC at Exit # 108 and go N less than a mile to Church St. and good country cooking at Summerton Diner.
Summerton Diner @ 32 Church St., Summerton, SC 803 - 485 - 6835.
Get off I 95 at Exit 98 at Santee, SC and go W on Highway 6 to the 1st street on your left which is Britain. Turn left and go to Maurice's for good BBQ. Get off I 95 at Exit 98 and go W on Highway 6. Take a right on State Park Road and go to Lonestar BBQ for good southern food. Clark's Inn and Restaurant is also a fine place to spend the night and have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Maurice's Gourmet BBQ @ 263 Britain St, Santee, SC 803 - 854 - 3889.
http://www.mauricesbbq.com/
Lonestar BBQ @ 2212 State Park Rd., Santee, SC. 803 - 854 - 2000
http://www.lonestarbbq.net/
Clark's Inn and Restaurant @ 114 Bradford Boulevard, Santee, SC 803 - 854 - 2101.
http://www.clarksinnandrestaurant.com/