Driving from Raleigh & the Triangle
The route east from the Triangle along U.S. 64 and U.S. 264 — roughly three and a half hours that turn into one of the prettiest, emptiest drives in the state.
In short
From Raleigh and the Triangle it's about three and a half hours: U.S. 64 East to Williamston, then U.S. 264 East through Washington and Belhaven, with the highway hugging the Pamlico Sound the rest of the way to our door.
Most of our Triangle guests make the run in an afternoon. Point yourself east on U.S. 64 and ride it through Rocky Mount and on toward Williamston. Somewhere around there you'll pick up U.S. 264 East, and that's the road that carries you the rest of the way — down through Washington, then Belhaven, then out along the top of the sound to Engelhard. We're at 34901 U.S. Highway 264, right on the highway, so you won't have to go hunting for us once you're close.
The drive, leg by leg
The first couple of hours are easy four-lane miles. Things change once you're east of Washington and Belhaven. The towns thin out, the land flattens, and the sky opens up wide over the farm fields and marsh. For a good stretch the water sits off your right shoulder. It's a quiet, pretty drive — not a lot of traffic, not a lot of stoplights, just the road and the sound.
Give yourself a little daylight if you can. At dusk the deer come to the edges of the fields, so ease off the gas through the low country. In winter you'll see swans, ducks and geese out on the water and in the cut corn — part of why folks come this time of year. It's scenery on the way in, and for hunters it's the whole reason for the trip.
Fuel and supplies: top off your tank around Washington or Belhaven. Services get thin east of there, and you don't want to be looking for a gas station out on the sound road after dark. Same goes for groceries, bait, or anything you'll want for the room — grab it before the towns run out.
A few practical things
Out here you need a car. There are no rideshares this far down U.S. 264, and once you've parked the car for the night that's your way around. We have free parking with plenty of room for a truck, a trailer, or a boat, so bring what you're towing.
If you're going to roll in late, just give us a call at the front desk — (252) 925-2001 — and we'll make sure someone's around to get you your key. We do check-in by phone with a real person, no apps, no deposit, no booking fees. Tell us your road and your arrival time and we'll watch for you.
Coming from another direction? We've also written up the drive from Norfolk and Hampton Roads and the short hop from the Outer Banks. When you've got your day figured out, book a room or just call the desk — we'll hold one for you.
The only hotel in Engelhard — and the closest bed to the ferry, the lake and the work. Call the front desk and we'll hold a room for your dates.
(252) 925-2001