Top Rest Stops for Your Drive to the Outer Banks

Rest Stop Roadmap: Philadelphia to the Outer Banks with Kids

The drive from the Philadelphia area to the Outer Banks is somewhere between “completely doable” and “are we there yet?” depending entirely on how well you plan your stops. At roughly 380 miles and 7–9 hours (plus stops, snacks, and the inevitable “I have to go to the bathroom” right after you passed the last exit), it’s a serious haul with kids in the car. The good news: there are a handful of stops along the way that genuinely break up the drive and keep everyone in decent spirits.

We’ve driven this route over 10 times, with the kids from infants to tweens, and here’s what works for us.

The Drive at a Glance

Route: Philadelphia (Bucks County) → DE - 1 / US - 13 South (Eastern Shore) → Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel → US-158 East → Outer Banks

Total Distance: ~380 miles to Corolla, NC

Total Drive Time: 7–9 hours (without stops)

Why US-13 over I-95? Less traffic, more scenic, no DC headache.

Segment Breakdown:

• Philadelphia (Bucks County) → Smyrna, DE Rest Area: ~85 miles | ~2 hr

• Smyrna, DE → New Church, VA Rest Area: ~110 miles | ~2 hr

• New Church, VA → Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: ~70 miles | ~1 hr 30 min

• CBBT → Wawa (Chesapeake, VA area): ~20 miles | ~30 min

• Wawa → Corolla, NC: ~95 miles | ~2 hr

The Main Event: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

About 1 hour and 30 min from the New Church Rest Stop

Technically not a rest stop, but the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a highlight of the drive that kids genuinely get excited about. The 17-mile crossing takes you over open water and through two underwater tunnels, which sounds exactly as dramatic as it is. The views of the Chesapeake are expansive, and there’s a unique sense of being very small in a very big place.

Heads up: The toll is a bit on the high side, but well worth it for the experience.

Stop 3: Wawa (Chesapeake, VA)

About 2 hours from Smyrna, DE and 30 minutes from crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

After the bridge-tunnel, you’re firmly in the home stretch, but “home stretch” still means about 2 to 2 ½ hours to Corolla. This is where Wawa earns a spot in the family road trip hall of fame.

There are several Wawa locations in the Chesapeake, Virginia area just off Route 168, which is your main road south after the bridge-tunnel. Fill up the gas tank (prices are generally reasonable here before crossing into North Carolina), grab coffees or iced drinks for the adults, and let the kids pick out some snacks.

The bathrooms are clean, the hoagies are solid if anyone needs real food, and the whole stop takes about 20 minutes if you’re efficient. It’s practical, it’s reliable, and it is genuinely a great stop.

Pro tip: This is your last easy gas and snack stop before the OBX.

The Final Push: Wawa to Corolla

About 2 hours from Wawa

From Chesapeake, you’ll follow Route 168 south into North Carolina (where it becomes US-158), then cross into the Outer Banks via the Wright Memorial Bridge at Point Harbor. The scenery shifts noticeably, the water and marsh start appearing, and everyone perks up because they can feel vacation starting.

If you are going for a more leisurely ride, to take in scenery and local businesses, there are a few great farm stands down US-158. Stop at one and pick up some local fruits and veggies, pies and cookies to enjoy during your vaca.

Once you get to the bridge, Corolla is about 30 minutes north on NC-12. By the time you pull into the driveway, everyone’s ready to hit the pool before they’ve even unpacked. That’s the goal.

👉 Looking for Car Essentials for your next trip? Check out my Road Trip Essentials post!

👉 Want to read more about how we spend our time in the Outer Banks in Corolla? Check out my other posts below.

OBX Water Park Review

Beach Days in Corolla

Corolla Adventure Park Ropes Course

Stop 2: New Church Safety Rest Area, Virginia

About 2 hours after the Smyrna DE rest stop

Just over the Maryland-Virginia state line, the New Church Safety Rest Area and Virginia Welcome Center sits right on US-13. It’s a smaller, no-frills stop compared to Smyrna, but it earns its place on this list for a few good reasons.

First, the LOVE sign. Virginia has placed these large “Virginia is for Lovers” LOVE signs at welcome centers across the state. The kids will want a photo. You’ll want a photo. Just budget five minutes and get it done — you’ll be glad you have it later. We now have a running collection of the kids, with the same sign, different heights. Highly recommend.

Second, if you packed food for the road, which we always do, it’s a great spot for lunch if you skipped it at Smyrna. There are picnic tables and enough shade to make it pleasant, and space for the kids to run around. Make a stop inside the Welcome Center and grab the Virginia tourism brochures while you’re there, it’s something new to keep the kids busy for the next part of the car ride. We always walk out with ideas for a trip we’ll probably never take, but always enjoy planning anyway.

Pro tip: This is a good place to check road conditions for the bridge-tunnel and any OBX traffic updates before you get back on the road.

Stop 1: Smyrna Rest Area, Delaware

About 2 hours into the drive

While this stop is early in the drive, it’s worth it so you’re not stuck trying to find a bathroom further down US-13. This highway doesn’t have your traditional pull-off rest areas, making the Smyrna Rest Area on US-13 the perfect stop. And you won’t regret it.

There’s a small playground that’s perfect for toddlers and younger kids to burn off an hour’s worth of sitting energy. Picnic tables are spread throughout, making it a solid spot for an early lunch if you packed food and hit the road before 7am. The standout feature for our crew is the koi pond. My kids have checked on those fish every single trip, and at this point it’s basically a required tradition.

Pro tip: Use the restrooms here. They’re well-maintained, and you won’t find anything this nice again until New Church.