The boy has a three day soccer tornie in N. Carolina in July.

We guna do a road trip down and back, but, were to stop? Any ideas, nice stops, rec., hotels motels, ect.

We have a week and a bit, to get there n back.

Which part of NC?

I know the drive to Asheville? but I'm guessing that's a bit too far west?

I know the way to Nag's Head. Going there was the only trip on which I've had a scary bear experience. Be a shame to miss Washington DC if Nag's Head or thereabouts is your target.

Maybe ask in the US forum? There's a fair few folks in NC who might have some ideas and a couple of recent threads as a few folks are moving that way...

Greater Greensboro NC. Is our destination.

We will take 2 days to drive there and have 3-4 days to get back.

Shenandoah NP doesn't seem far out of your way, that's where the bear disrupted our picnic.

For a two day drive on the way down stop overnight at Beckley West Virginia. Not much to do there, but after a day of driving you may just want to rest up anyway. Lots of hotels there. It's then a short drive to Greensboro the next morning.

On the way back head towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a beautiful area and the parkway is one of the top ten drives in the USA.

We rented a ski chalet for a few nights at the Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. They are privately owned so you can get them through www.vrbo.com or you can pay more and rent via the resort. Washington is not that far from Wintergreen if you wanted to make a trip through there as well.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...ia/wintergreen

http://www.wintergreenresort.com/

Thanks secam, wv was on the list, will look into that town. Wasn't sure about Washington but we may go there now also.

Well it seems that Greensboro is just to the east

The route we use is;

Drive to Niagara ( with the intention of filling up with Gas just a cross the border)
Cross at the Rainbow bridge ( best US border control)
follow I90 to erie (toll road, you'll need some coins) then head south on I79
If its a two day drive overnight at Morgantown/Fairmont/Clarksburg (book ahead it can get busy if you arrive after 5.00pm)
Follow I79 to I19 I'd plan a picnic lunch as there some lovely stops in that area, stop at the rest area before the new river gorge bridge for the view and Ice cream
Follow I19 to I77 (we'd turn off down I81) you follow I77 and then turn off on I74

On the way back if you're going up the same route you can stop in at Pittsburgh and use the Outlet Mall by the race track,

Other wise I've travelled I81 to Washington through the Shenandoah and its very pretty don't know a full route back to TO? I90 might be an option?

Resturants to consider while down south are Red Robin who I think produce the best chain burger, and Cracker barrel, the foods good and you get to stare at realy fat americans too.

Carry some cash for fuel as some of the smaller gas stations seem to have issues with some candian credit cards/debit cards.

Stop at the State information places and pick up the free Stae maps,

CAA can also provide you with free maps, regional guides which can help with booking lodgings if your a member

Thanks Mike, great post.

Mmmm.. blackened catfish. My favourite

x2 for the Blue Ridge Parkway - really pretty.

Some gas stations insist that you prepay before you fill up, which can be an issue trying to estimate how much gas at US prices you are going to need - they will refund any overpay, but the first time I did it I estimated $60 (as per Canadian prices) came to about $37 - I got a really strange look when I went back in for the change, like "what did you think you were driving, lady - an 18 wheeler?"

We depart Thursday morning

Booked in at Morgantown (Thanks Mike)

Then continue to NC

3 days in Greensborough for a soccer tournament then off to Virginia beach for 2 days, half the soccer team also going VB .

Then ? who knows.

Maybe drive north via Washington?

Visit Cherokee. They had a live bear outside a shop door the last time I was there.

I called my coworker in Greensboro, he says if you like barbeque be sure to try Stameys:

http://www.stameys.com/

Hope you come across some southern hospitality!

Pete