Duck to Norfolk Airport travel time (Earl: rental car, rental, wedding)

[NWGirl74]

I will be attending a wedding in Duck at the end of this month and flying in and out of Norfolk. I understand there is only one bridge in and out of the northern part of the Outer Banks. (I've never been there). Being unfamiliar with traffic patterns I am wondering how early I should leave Duck to return my rental car and catch my 9:50 a.m. flight on a Tuesday morning? I am flying in two days before the wedding so I'm not worried about that side of it.

Thanks in advance!

[carolinadawg2]

I assume you'll be driving back on Sunday morning? There won't be a traffic backup at hour of the morning. I think its roughly an hour and a half to 2 hours from Duck to the Norfolk airport (and obviously you'll get a much more exact sense of that when you drive down).

I would plan on leaving Duck around 6:30 or 7:00 (depending on how long you find the drive to be, and exactly where you are..."Duck" can cover a lot of territory). Again, I can't imagine you'll have traffic issues early Sunday morning. If its a workday, you will have some traffic issues in Norfolk and should leave earlier.

[NWGirl74]

I'm leaving on a Tuesday morning.

[ditchoc]

From the airport to Duck is 82 miles. Driving time is stated at 1h 38m. I would allow more due to unfamiliarity with roads, traffic (Norfolk can be bad at times), coffee and bio breaks etc.

9:50 flight
Arrive about 1 hr early 8:50
Time to turn in rental 30 min - 8:20
Drive time - 2 hours - 6:20

Early morning traffic in Norfolk can be a real pain at times. I'd leave at 6AM, the extra 20 minutes might be a life saver. If all goes well, maybe you have to sit at your gate and read for an hour. Better than missing the flight.

[NWGirl74]

Thanks, ditchoc. I was thinking along those same time lines. I don't mind sitting at the gate or roaming around the airport. I'd much rather do that than have to rush and hope to get there on time!

[carolinadawg2]

You're welcome!