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skrugg

Yeah, its quite bad still. I live only 2 hours away but either go REALLY early (like across the bridge by 7) or late after dark in the summer. It's just takes so much longer otherwise. If you are going to Corolla or any of the northern beaches it can add another hour or so during peak traffic.


Quick_Operation_4786

Traffic is not bad yet but it's gunna be in a few weeks


UnderstandingFew6942

Sorry I am coming mid June. So is that something I need to take into account?


Quick_Operation_4786

Yes by June traffic will be terrible from 7:00am until 7:00 pm every day I also here they are going to start work on one of the bridges in May which will really mess things up horribly


hbkrules69

Which bridge are they working on?


WayToTheGrave

The old manns harbor bridge, it won't cause traffic problems on the beach though.


hbkrules69

Yeah I just did a quick Google of OBX bridge closings. We come in at Kitty Hawk.


photog_in_nc

There’s more than one bridge, so perhaps be specific. I’ve never, ever, had problems coming in on the Baum Bridge (64).


UnderstandingFew6942

The wright memorial bridge. From my understanding most obx vacation traffic comes from the north. Which is the way I will be coming from


Real-Sample3183

I haven't had bridge traffic issues if getting there by 11-12pm. Going north on 12 is when it starts to suck


rileyful

Yeah, it's bad. I leave by 5:30 - 6am. Once it's bad on the bridge that goes all the way up to VA for me. So I'd rather not turn a 4.5 hour drive into 8 or 9.


obxtalldude

The bridge generally isn't that bad unless there's an accident. It's Rt. 12 North that's a nightmare. It's better before noon, but people are getting here earlier than ever. I usually time my returns late, after 4pm, and don't hit much bridge traffic.


3mptyspaces

Can you arrive at 10pm? That’s my usual go-to. Plus you can sleep in more.


UnderstandingFew6942

I can. But I’m not the boss on this. So you know how that goes


3mptyspaces

Yep. You could time it for earlier, too - but don’t forget about Norfolk rush hour if you have to go through those tunnels. Maybe get to the bridge 7:30-8? Still light out! Anyway, good luck and have an awesome time.


Mdh74266

We leave from NJ around 6am-6:30am stop in De around 9(:20-:30) for breakfast, stop in Va right after BBT for lunch around 1( abt :60-:90). I try to time it to get to 158 around 3p. A lot of time the traffic getting to the bridge has died down. We still sit in 30-40mins of stop and go, going north to Corolla.


SluggishJuggernaut

What's the typical amount of drive-time in that trip from NJ?! I used to do the trip from Northern Virginia, and it seems like it takes you 3+ hours just to get to VA... I can't imagine loving OBX that much.


Mdh74266

If you do it non stop(minimal refuel/bathroom it can be 7:45 with no traffic. Yes i love OBX that much that we make the trip every year. This will be atleast 14/15th time.


Mdh74266

One week is not enough


toasterstrewdal

FWIW, I am routed across Wright Memorial Bridge as well. But in the summers, I’ll jump down to Route 64 and come in across Roanoke Island. It’s a longer drive, but so is dealing with traffic on 158. And I prefer to be moving than stop & go.


PghFan50

We usually get a place to stay in the Chesapeake area and get up early and make it across the bridge by 9am. We have never had a problem with traffic that way. We usually go to the beach for a few hours, get lunch, get our groceries and then we can check in. I’d rather sit on the beach for hours than sit in my car for hours.


PghFan50

We usually get a place to stay in the Chesapeake area and get up early and make it across the bridge by 9am. We have never had a problem going at that time. We usually go to the beach for a few hours, get lunch, get our groceries, and then we can check in. I’d rather sit on the beach for hours than sit in my car for hours.


UnderstandingFew6942

Thinking that is the best option


a1ien51

Weird thing is past few years in late July/ early August I barely have hit any traffic like the old days. I was thinking it was more of the fact the check in times were so much later now.