Driving from the Outer Banks
Off the beach and back to the mainland — U.S. 64 to Columbia, then 264 along the edge of the sound. About an hour, and a world away from the boardwalk traffic.
In short
From Manteo or Nags Head it's only about an hour: U.S. 64 West to Columbia, then U.S. 264 West along the sound to Engelhard — the mainland's quiet back door, and a good bit cheaper than a beach hotel.
The Outer Banks are closer than most people think. From the Manteo and Nags Head area, take U.S. 64 West across to Columbia, then pick up U.S. 264 West and follow it down along the Pamlico Sound to our door at 34901 U.S. Highway 264. Figure about an hour. It's an easy, pretty drive once you're off the beach roads and out into the open country.
Day trip or home base
Plenty of folks use us as the calm, low-cost side of an Outer Banks trip. You can day-trip over to the Banks and come back to a quiet room and a real porch at night, or you can base here for a few days and let the beach crowds and beach prices stay on the other side of the water. Either way works. The drive is short enough to do without a second thought.
The drive
U.S. 64 West gets you to Columbia, then U.S. 264 hugs the sound the rest of the way. It's quiet country — open water, marsh, farm fields, and not much traffic. In winter you'll see swans, ducks and geese out on the water as you come down. Ease up at dusk, when deer come to the field edges.
If you're after Ocracoke
One thing worth knowing while you're already on the Banks: if Ocracoke is what you're after, the free Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry off the south end of Hatteras Island is the other way to get there. From our side, you'd take the Swan Quarter ferry instead — a longer crossing, with the dock about 15 minutes west of us on U.S. 264. We laid out both options side by side in our ferry routes compared guide so you can pick the one that fits your day.
You'll need a car out here — there are no rideshares this far down the sound. We have free parking with room for trucks, trailers, and boats.
A few practical things
We're built for travelers watching their money — that's a big part of why people cross over from the Banks. See our budget stays page for the honest version of what a night here looks like. Rooms are simple, clean, and easy on the wallet, with a hot home-cooked breakfast every morning.
If you're coming in late, call the front desk at (252) 925-2001 and we'll have someone here for you. Check-in is by phone with a real person, no deposit, no fees. When you're ready, book a room or just give us a ring.
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