The Drive from Ashland, OH to Oak Island, NC: How Long Will it Take?

If you're planning a road trip from Ashland, Ohio to Oak Island, North Carolina, you might be wondering how long the drive will take. While the distance is not incredibly far, there are still a few different routes you can take, each with varying travel times. Let's explore the options!

The Fastest Route

If you're looking to get to Oak Island as quickly as possible, your best bet is to take the I-77 South and then merge onto the I-95 South. This will take you all the way to Oak Island. This route is approximately 700 miles and will take about 11 hours to complete, assuming you don't make any stops along the way.

The Scenic Route

If you're not in a hurry and want to enjoy some beautiful scenery along the way, consider taking a slightly longer route. Instead of hopping onto the I-77, stay on the US-23 South and drive through the Appalachian Mountains. Next, merge onto the I-81 South and eventually merge onto the I-77 South. Once you merge onto the I-95 South, it is a straight shot to Oak Island. This route is approximately 800 miles and will take about 13 hours to complete.

Traffic Patterns

As with any road trip, traffic patterns can greatly affect your travel time. If you're driving during a peak travel time, such as summer vacation season, expect traffic to be heavier and your travel time to be longer. If you're driving during an off-peak time, such as a weekday in the fall, you can expect to arrive at your destination faster.

Using travel time estimation websites, we can see that during peak traffic times, the fastest route will take approximately 13 hours, while the scenic route will take about 14.5 hours. During off-peak times, the fastest route will take approximately 10 hours, while the scenic route will take about 12 hours.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking for a quick drive or a scenic journey, there are options to choose from when traveling from Ashland, Ohio to Oak Island, North Carolina. Remember to take traffic patterns and travel times into account when planning your trip. Happy travels!