From New York to Florida, this sea level, scenic route along the historic Atlantic Coast is the most interesting and relaxing of North-South highways. It is safer than inland routes, especially in winter, because there are no icy hills or steep grades. Motorists enjoy their vacations all the time and all the way, for there is a panorama of interesting things to do and see directly on or near the Ocean Hiway, such as outdoor dramas, famed garden plantations, broad beaches, fishing piers, and championship golf courses.
The long established Ocean Hiway inland route from New York is via the New Jersey Turnpike and Delaware Memorial Bridge to U.S. 13. The newer, seaward route is via the Garden State Parkway and Cape May-Lewes Ferry to U.S. 13, down the Delmarva Peninsula, via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area... then U. S. 17 becomes the Ocean Hiway to Florida. This route is the fastest route from New York to Norfolk, saving you 95 miles and 1-1/2 hours of driving. Motorists traveling through the metropolitan areas of Virginia Beach and Norfolk should follow U.S. 13 to I-64 East (south) to Route 104 and U.S. 17 South.
Three miles south of the Virginia/North Carolina border on US Highway 17, a NC Welcome Center was built to assist travelers... the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. Services include maps, brochures, and printed publications, as well as personal assistance with directions and ferry or lodging reservations. This Welcome Center is also used by boats traveling on the Dismal Swamp Canal, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
It's easy for the Ocean Hiway motorist to take side trips all along the route. Interstate 64 West from Norfolk/Virginia Beach leads to Colonial Williamsburg, and Route 158 East leads to the lovely Outer Banks of North Carolina. From New Bern, Route 70 East leads to Morehead City. In South Carolina, Route 21 leads to Beaufort
and Route 170 to Hilton Head Island.
Travelers will find many service stations, attractive restaurants and comfortable motels along the Ocean Hiway and, therefore, are not required to leave the main route to find food and lodging. The route is clearly marked OCEAN HIWAY by legal action of six states whose coast it traverses.
Henry's Restaurant offers down home, simple food done Outer Banks style. Henry's Restaurant has been serving the Outer Banks of North Carolina since the summer of 1989. They are pleased to be considered one of the most popular restaurants in Dare...
Sun Realty offers the Best Selection of Vacation Rentals on the Outer Banks. Our large selection of Outer Banks rentals means you can choose from a wide range of amenities, including private swimming pools, hot tubs, theater rooms, game rooms, pet...
Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford...
Discover the beauty of the Outer Banks with Duck Parasail. Duck Parasail is proud to partner with Corolla Parasail and together, they take pride in being the longest running, family owned and operated parasail company on the Outer Banks. Duck...