Beach Getaways Within Driving Distance of Greensboro, NC
Even though Greensboro sits about 200 miles inland from the Atlantic, residents and tourists can still reach a range of coastal spots. This guide covers three beach destinations—Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Nag's Head/Outer Banks—with details on distances, drive times, and what each place offers.
By Parker Rivera
North Carolina's Outer Banks are about 250 miles from Greensboro.
Greensboro ranks among North Carolina's inland cities, lying approximately 200 miles from the Atlantic Coast. Together with Winston-Salem and Raleigh, it makes up the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area. The city occupies a mid-sized geographic position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountain ranges. Despite being landlocked, Greensboro sits near enough to the shore that locals and visitors can choose from multiple beach destinations. .
Wrightsville Beach
About 200 miles southeast of Greensboro, near Wilmington, lies Wrightsville Beach. The quickest driving route, I-40, takes roughly three and a half hours. Lodging ranges from hotels and motels to beach cabin rentals, and dining options span casual and upscale, alongside shops. Activities include marinas, golf courses, fishing, and surfing. Masonboro Island, a scenic barrier island offshore that acts as a wildlife preserve for sea turtles and shore birds, borders the beach. It also features the North Carolina Birding Trail, a well-liked route for local bird-watchers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Kure Beach
Kure Beach is a small town located at the southern tip of the state's Cape Fear Coast. It sits about 220 miles south of Greensboro, and the trip via I-40 generally takes around four hours. The beach offers long sandy stretches, a boardwalk, and a historic fishing pier that was built in 1923. Each summer, the annual Beach Music Festival takes place near the pier. Accommodations include beachfront motels as well as cottages and condos for rent, and there are a few restaurants. Nearby, visitors can go on fishing charters, play golf, or explore the Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
Nag's Head/Outer Banks
Nag's Head and North Carolina's scenic Outer Banks lie about 250 miles due east of Greensboro. Using Highway 64, the area is roughly four and a half hours away. Nag's Head is the largest town in the area and serves as the unofficial gateway to the Outer Banks, a group of windswept barrier islands just off the coast that extend 130 miles. The region is known for its natural sand dunes and its colorful history. Home to Roanoke Island and Kitty Hawk, the Outer Banks is perhaps most famous as a former pirate's cove. Its shallow underwater geography contributed to many shipwrecks and pirate ambushes. While some hotels and resorts exist in the region, most visitors rent beach cottages and homes during their stay. Two public fishing piers and several nature trails can be found in Jockey's Ridge State Park.
