This post is sponsored by Autotrader; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
North Carolina has three distinct and diverse regions of the state: the mountains, the beaches and central region. With its abundance of nature, friendly locals and delicious food it is time for a road trip with friends in North Carolina.
Whether you are traveling for spring break or just looking for the perfect weekend getaway in North Carolina, we have the four best places for a road trip.
Road Trip Travel Trips
Before we get into our recommended North Carolina road trip destinations, we have a few road trip tips to make you adventure a breeze. The most important thing is to have the right car, with enough space and features for a comfortable trip.
Make sure your car starts out clean and have a plan on keeping it clean, like with a small handy trash can.
Autotrader recommends Wireless Charging in the car, which honestly keeps the entire front area of the car much cleaner and organized. Reaching around for a charging wire or dealing with a tangled cord simply adds unneeded stress to your trip.
The most import thing to do before starting a road trip is getting your car checked and serviced to lower the risk of anything going wrong during your trip. You do not want to spend your vacation getting the oil changed!
Autotrader also has several additional helpful road trip tips for a stress free adventure.
Wilmington and Beaches
The historic city of Wilmington lines the Cape Fear Riverfront with cobblestone streets and refurbished facades. Go for a stroll down Front Street and grab some ice cream at the iconic Kilwin’s Chocolates before heading to the waterfront to watch the boats go by.
On the other side of Wilmington is several beach areas including Carolina Beach and Kure Beach to swim or Wrightsville Beach for surfing. You can even go paddleboarding at low tide to the little Palm Island with its own mailbox.
Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The small town of Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is well known for its relaxed atmosphere and blooming brewery scene. Spend some time walking through town enjoying the atmosphere along with the expansive Biltmore Estate before driving into the surrounding natural beauty with countless hiking trails.
Even if you do not like hiking, enjoy a scenic drive along the the Blue Ridge Parkway through Pisgah National Forest. There is even an amazing waterfall you can see from a pull off on the road. It is honestly one of the most beautiful scenic drives in North Carolina.
Raleigh and the Triangle
Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill might be more famous for the sports rivalry between Duke and UNC, but the area does have plenty to offer its visitors. Each city has its own smaller downtown with several free museums, countless eateries and Umstead State Park smack dab in the middle.
If you visit on a sunny day, do not miss out on the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham with its many beautiful blooming flowers and interesting landscapes.
Charlotte
The bustling city of Charlotte makes for the perfect weekend road trip. Home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. If you have the chance, watch a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Charlotte is a great city to taste its diverse restaurants and nightlife.
If we have inspired you to go on an epic road trip with friends, but do not have a car to fit them all, check out Autotrader for the widest variety of vehicle options all in one place, there is no reason to go elsewhere for your car buying.