United States · 10 days · 1,800 km · Loop
Outer Banks + Smokies — North Carolina coast-to-mountains
Coast-to-mountains loop through North Carolina. Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras, ferries, lighthouses), historic Wilmington, Asheville in the Blue Ridge, and the Great Smoky Mountains NP finale — the most visited national park in the USA. Three worlds in 10 days.
Highlights
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Wright Brothers National Memorial Kitty Hawk
- Ocracoke ferry + island
- Asheville Biltmore Estate
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Great Smoky Mountains NP Cades Cove
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Charlotte → Wilmington
Charlotte → Wilmington · 320 km
- · Pickup Charlotte
- · Wilmington Riverwalk
Overnight: Carolina Beach State Park
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Day 2
Wilmington → Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Wilmington → Hatteras · 320 km
- · Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- · Atlantic sunset
Overnight: Cape Point Campground (NPS)
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Day 3
Ocracoke via ferry
Hatteras → Ocracoke · 70 km
- · Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry
- · Ocracoke pony pen
- · Fishing village
Overnight: Beachcomber Campground
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Day 4
Ocracoke → Kitty Hawk → Norfolk
Ocracoke → Norfolk · 250 km
- · Wright Brothers National Memorial
- · Currituck Lighthouse
Overnight: Northwest River Park
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Day 5
Norfolk → Raleigh
Norfolk → Raleigh · 290 km
- · North Carolina Museum of History
- · Pullen Park
Overnight: William B. Umstead State Park
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Day 6
Raleigh → Asheville
Raleigh → Asheville · 380 km
- · Pisgah National Forest
- · Asheville arts district
Overnight: Asheville East KOA
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Day 7
Asheville — Biltmore + Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville · 130 km
- · Biltmore Estate
- · Blue Ridge Parkway Mt Pisgah
- · Brewery district
Overnight: Asheville East KOA
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Day 8
Asheville → Gatlinburg → Great Smoky Mountains
Asheville → Gatlinburg · 130 km
- · Newfound Gap (continental crossing)
- · Clingmans Dome
Overnight: Elkmont Campground (NPS)
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Day 9
Cades Cove + Cherokee
Gatlinburg → Cherokee · 110 km
- · Cades Cove loop wildlife
- · Cherokee Museum
Overnight: Smokemont Campground
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Day 10
Cherokee → Charlotte drop-off
Cherokee → Charlotte · 290 km
- · Motorhome drop-off
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.