Traveling to the remote Outer Banks of North Carolina always makes for a fulfilling vacation. While boat access via the Intracoastal Waterway and air travel by charter plane are viable options, most visitors arrive by car, so it’s important to choose which route is best for you.

The southern route is undoubtedly the most relaxing way, since it takes advantage of the North Carolina Ferry System. For those coming from the southern beaches of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, the Cedar Island Ferry carries you through the same waters that Blackbeard once sailed, landing on Ocracoke Island after a tranquil 2 1/4 hour trip. The final leg of this route takes you through the picturesque Cape Hatteras National Seashore, after a short, free ferry ride to the tip of Hatteras Island.

The northern route, from Virginia, has been improved in recent years with the widening of Rt. 168. Venture across one of the “7 Engineering Wonders of the World” via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The Bridge-Tunnel project is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing the lower Chesapeake Bay connecting Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Another popular route is I-664 via the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. Travelers driving on the 20-mile long freeway will be greeted with views of enormous expanses of water, and the landfall of the Peninsula as well as aircraft carriers and many different ships—an ever-changing view. Best of all, the MMMBT is toll-free so save those quarters for the important things—like buying ice cream on the Outer Banks!

Wherever you may be coming from, make the most of your driving experience by enjoying the beautiful scenery, finding unique places to stop along the way and always being safe in your travels. No matter how long the journey, remember that once you arrive on the relaxing Outer Banks, it will all be worth it.