Road Trip Ideas - Eastern US

[SWR]

Going to make my usual road trip in 2 weeks from central Texas to Virginia Beach. Its a hard 2 day drive, about 10-11 hours per day at 75 mph Interstate. Going I-20, 59, 75 etc.

This year I am think of taking it a bit more leisurely and am looking for ideas of things to see along the way that would only take up a small amount of time yet greatly decrease the rigors of grinding out miles. Say something like an hour or two break.
Would not be opposed to the trip then taking 3 - 3-1/2 days.

Already seen all in the Chattanooga area so lets forgo that idea.

Any ideas after I get there ? ?? maybe Williamsburg ? Already been to DC so dont want to go there again.
Enjoy sightseeing, exploring, seeing old places and things, Last year we went up and down the Outer Banks - fascinating.

Any awesome fairly priced places to stay( we like out of the way quiet - cabins, rural areas etc - B&B maybe )

This year I think we want to stick to the area around Virginia Beach and northward.
All ideas welcomed and appreciated

Thanks
Steve

 

[GunnyGene]

Go see the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico. It's about a 3 hr drive from Virginia Beach.

https://www.usmcmuseum.com/index.html

 

[JFB]

I always like to spend a day visiting around Oak Ridge, not really a lot to see, but I like the history of the nuclear age

 

[tom black]

D-Day memorial at Bedford. Poplar Forest, Monticello, Montpelier are all awesome places to visit.
Tom Black

 

[Colonialgirl]

Sometimes little state or county parks are interesting; There was one in Virginia, "Shot Tower Park", we stopped at while heading down to Myrtle Beach from Hagerstown, MD on vacation. It was quite interesting and we were the ONLY visitors there. The tower was over 200 years old and used to made lead shot using lead from a local mine.
We stopped because the kids NEEDED a restroom break !! Glad we did make the stop.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
Drive a bit further north to Gettysburg Pa.
Kinda famous for a little "skirmish" that happened there in 1863.
If you plan your route carefully you could also pass close to several other Civil War"skirmishes" such as Chancellorsville, Bull Run and Antietam.
You may find it historically interesting.

 

[Fox Mike]

Hi...
Drive a bit further north to Gettysburg Pa.
Kinda famous for a little "skirmish" that happened there in 1863.
If you plan your route carefully you could also pass close to several other Civil War"skirmishes" such as Chancellorsville, Bull Run and Antietam.
You may find it historically interesting.

If in Virginia Beach, and you want to do the 'battlefield' trips you will be near Fredericksburg (US17 will take you there), then Bull Run, and Petersburg is a great trip in itself

 

[Mus408]

Lot's of Civil War history in the Petersburg/Tri City area. Petersburg Battlefield Park with the Crater is very interesting.
I live in the area and you could take Rt. 460 East from Petersburg straight to Va. Beach.

Williamsburg is really nice especially during Christmas! About a 40 minute drive down historic/scenic
Rt. 5 from Petersburg/Hopewell area with a few historic plantations along the route.
From Williamsburg you could take I-64 to Va. Beach or take a more scenic route thru Yorktown.

As far as Petersburg is concerned....much better lodging across Appomattox River in Colonial Heights!

 

[gramps]

Come I-40 through Nashville, Tn to I75, I-81? Lots to see! Cumberland State Park in Crossville is nice! Good luck!
gramps

 

[pete44ru]

.

If someone's a foodie (like me), Guy Fieri has visited several good restaurants in Virginia Beach (& other locations - see the link's menu) that may float your boat.

https://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/virginia-beach-virginia.html

.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Since you will be in VA Beach go to the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo on Princess Anne Rd. Privately owned and has its own grass airstrip. Well worth the time.
Lots of Revolutionary War historical sites as well as Civil War history.
In downtown Norfolk go to Nauticus. Nice naval museum including the USS Wisconsin.

 

[SWR]

Yes, we went there last year. Pretty impressive operation and investment for a privately owned operation.

Any other ideas for the Virginia, Tennessee area (already been to Chattanooga and Gatlinburg)

Steve

 

[WAYNO]

Go see the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico. It's about a 3 hr drive from Virginia Beach.

https://www.usmcmuseum.com/index.html

^^This^^

It's been many years, but once I was attending an Army school in Aberdeen Maryland. Rented a car and drove into Virginia. Stopped at Quantico and was quite pleased I did so. Every Marine and/or Navy jet I built models of as a kid from the early jet age were on display in all progressions of restoration.

The other thing I remember, seems everywhere I drove, there was a plaque posted, saying a certain battle was fought at this location, from the Civil War.

 

[JFB]

the wrong time of year (due to snow) but I route I LOVED to take whenever I could
just before Knoxville, take back roads so that you drive
1) Tail of the Dragon
2) Blue Ridge parkway
3) Shenandoah parkway

 

[BearBio]

Gettysburg was over-rated. Visit Harper's Ferry and Antietam. Antietam is much more somber.

 

[Fox Mike]

If you want a 'go nowhere but there and back' while in Virginia Beach take a trip across and under the Chesapeake Bay on US RT 13. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a trip that should be done at least one time. Of course if you do decide to take that trip it will have to be a two way trip cause ya gotta get back to Va Beach.