Directions

By Car

The northern entrance of Cape Hatteras NS is located at the junction of US-64 and NC-12 in Nags Head, NC. The Seashore's southern entrance is located on NC-12 just north of Ocracoke, NC (assessible by ferry only).

To reach the Seashore's northern entrance:

• From the North - Follow I-95 South to Richmond, VA. Take I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. Take I-64 or I-664 to Chesapeake, Va. From I-64, take Exit 291B to Route 168, the Chesapeake Expressway.* Once in North Carolina, Route 168 turns into US-158 East. Follow US-158 through Nags Head, NC to the junction of NC-12 South. *Chesapeake Expressway is a toll-road which costs $2.00 each way.
• From the West - Via I-95 into North Carolina. Take US-64 East toward Rocky Mount. Follow US-64 East through Williamston and Plymouth, NC. From Plymouth, NC keep going east to Nags Head, NC and the junction of NC-12 South.
• From the South - Coming from South Carolina take I-95 to Wilson, NC. Take US-264 East through Greenville and Washington, NC. From Washington, take State Route 30 to Plymouth, NC and follow US-64 East to Nags Head, NC and the junction of NC-12 South.

To reach the Seashore's southern entrance:

• Via the Cedar Island Ferry - From I-40 East, take Exit 306 to US-70 East. Follow US-70 East to Sea Level, NC. In Sea Level, take NC-12 North to the ferry terminal. The Cedar Island Ferry crosses the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Village. Follow NC-12 North to the Seashore entrance. Ferry crossing time is 2.25 hours and reservations are required.
• Via the Swan Quarter Ferry - Take US-264 to NC-45 in Swan Quarter. Follow NC-45 South through the town to the Hyde County Courthouse. At the courthouse, turn on Oyster Creek Road (SR-1128) and follow to the terminal. The Swan Quarter Ferry crosses the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Village. Follow NC-12 North to the Seashore entrance. Ferry crossing time is is 2.5 hours and reservations are required.

 

By Plane

There are several ways to reach the park by air.

• The Norfolk, VA Airport (100 miles distance) and the Raleigh-Durham, NC Airport (200 miles distance) offer commercial airline service.
• The Manteo, NC Airport (MQI) services private aircraft.
• Billy Mitchell Airfield in Frisco, NC and Ocracoke Airfield in Ocracoke, NC have 3000 ft. runways and tie-downs. Use is limited to daylight hours. There are no services (fuel, hanger space, repair service, etc).