A Guide to Driving on Outer Banks Beaches

The Outer Banks welcomes folks who want to drive along the beach. Your trusty 4×4 can enable you can explore miles and miles of our shoreline from the comfort of your 4×4. Of course, authorities regulate this fun activity with a few common-sense rules meant for everyone’s benefit. So here is what you need to know about driving along Outer Banks shores:

van driving on the beach on the Outer Banks — Photo From: Shutterstock

You’ll need a permit from a local National Park Service (NPS) office. This requires paying a reasonable fee and watching a 10 minute safety video.
You’ll want to lower the air pressure in your tires to around 20 psi to avoid getting trapped in the sands. We also recommend carrying a shovel, some planks, and tow straps as added precautions.
There is a hard and fast 25 mile-per-hour speed limit for driving on the beach. In some locations this drops to 15 mph, including areas near human beings or animals.
Watch out for fishing lines and other potential entanglements.
The law forbids open containers of alcohol in vehicles – no exceptions.
Avoid dunes, wild horses, vegetation, and wrack lines. What are wrack line, you ask? Good question. A wrack line is a strip of natural waste; i.e. parts and pieces of sea creatures washed up by the water. For birds, this is a natural buffet upon which they depend for sustenance.
Pedestrians always take precedent over drivers when it comes to right-of-way.
Always park perpendicular to the shoreline.
Obey any posted notices you see.
Nighttime driving is permitted in some locations; check local rules.
Some areas prohibit vehicles during peak tourist seasons.

“Where can I drive?”
You’ll find mile after mile of shoreline that’s ideal for motorized exploration. Here are some of the many choice spots from which to choose:

The stretch of deserted shoreline along Ocracoke Island.
The town of Corolla north of NC12. The area south of this spot is open to drivers from October through April.
Kill Devil Hills. Rules permit driving from October through April at designated spots. You’ll need to purchase a permit from either the Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills city offices.
Nags Head. Drivers are allowed during the off-season.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is perhaps the most beautiful section of beach to drive. The NPS marks this route with mileage indicators and ramp signs.

October through April spring is a great time to visit the Outer Banks, by the way. You’ll avoid the crowds while still having access to many of the wonderful eateries, shops, and other amenities in the area. We urge you to always have a well-stocked first-aid kit, extra food and water, a cell phone, and your prescription medicines close by while driving our shoreline.

After a fun-filled day exploring the Outer Banks in your 4×4, the last thing you’ll want is to deal with the noise and chaos of a crowded, questionable hotel. Stay in one of our choice vacation homes instead. Browse our site to see the great selection available. You’ll be glad you did.