The Longest, Most Impressive Bridge In North Carolina Can Be Found In The Outer Banks

From the Blue Ridge Parkway to the many highways along the coast, North Carolina is awash with scenic roads to explore the state by way of your vehicle. One of them, US 64, makes a scenic sweep from the mountains in the west all the way to the coast where it crosses three bodies of water before dropping vehicles at Nags Head in the Outer Banks.

The newest of the bridges that cross those three bodies of water crosses 5.2 miles over the Croatan Sound. Aside from being a beautiful drive, it's noted for being the longest bridge in all of North Carolina.

It was built in 2002 at a cost of 90 million dollars.

North Carolina's longest bridge is named for the first baby born to English settlers of the Roanoke Colony: Virginia Dare.

The Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge crosses from Manns Harbor to Roanoke Island, a destination all on its own.

But for those who choose to continue on the journey, a trip over the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge yields impressive views. From birds swooping in for a bite to eat, to sunrises and sunsets and everything in between, visitors aren't disappointed.

No matter the weather conditions, the Croatan Sound delivers gorgeous inlet views of the body of water that stretches approximately five miles and averages depths of 15 feet.

The last official count placed the average daily traffic on the four lanes of the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge at 4,000 — a far cry from this highway feeling rushed or crowded on an average day.

In your travels through or to the coast, have you crossed the longest bridge in North Carolina? If so, what did you think?

Can’t get enough of the beautiful Tar Heel State? Keep reading for even more scenic drives in North Carolina!

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Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge, Manns Harbor, NC 27953, USA

The Longest, Most Impressive Bridge In North Carolina Can Be Found In The Outer Banks

Robin Jarvis

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