Where to relax after college visits?
 

Hi,

In mid June I am taking my daughter to check out UNC and Duke. We would like to spend two days after that relaxing at the shore or some other resort area and would appreciate some suggestions. How far are the beaches from Raleigh/Durham? What is traffic like on Thursdays and Fridays in June? We've never been to NC!

Thanks,
Kathryn

In a nutshell, traffic will be hell on a Friday afternoon in June driving to the beaches.

The closest one to you will be Wrightsville, Topsail, or Carolina Beach off Wilmington.

I'd try to leave as early as possible on Friday Morning.

BTW, we call it going to the beach not the shore.

Traffic will definitely be bad on Friday. If you're only going for a couple of days then you'll need to stay in a hotel rather than a rental cottage. That's a plus because you'll be able to drive down on Thursday evening and beat the rush for friday cottage check in. The Wilmington area is the closest, but in my opinion the outer banks are worth the extra drive (I am a little biased having grown up an hour from Manteo). Good luck on you college search, and Go Heels!

I advise that you plan your college visit for the first part of the week and arrive at the beach on Thursday. Make certain you arrange for lodging before hand - many of the best locations are reserved early all summer long. While I happen to like the Outer Banks area, it presents a more formidable trip for you so I'd recommend something from Beaufort and south toward Wilmington as GoTravel suggested.

As a child growing up in Chapel Hill, I went to the coast.

At one point in my life, I live along Highway 70 and watched the beach traffic backup on the weekends (Fridays seemed worse than Sundays).

Now when I need a quick beach fix, I head down I-40 towards Wilmington. Just a couple of hours down the interstate.

Although traffic is bad on Fridays, it is manageable. I-40 to Wilmington will be crowded, but traffic will move. This issue is when you get to Wilmington and what you do. If you go to Wrightville Breach, it could take some time to get ovet the bridge to the island. If you go to Carolina Breach area, it is furhter but may not be as bad. Thursday will be better than Friday for traffic. If you want to drive 3 hours, go to the Crystal Coast (Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle). The most important thing is that you have reservations at your hotel. Weekends often book to capacity so the earlier the reservation the better. Everyone must go to the outerbanks area, but for 2 days, it is most likely too much driving. Do it another time. Again, it all depends on what you consider bad traffic. If you are coming from the NY/NJ area or some of the other NE areas, you may not find it that bad.