Interactive Map of the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks stretches more than 100 miles down the North Carolina coast as a chain of narrow barrier islands. Use the map below to get your bearings, then jump to the detailed map for the area you’re visiting.
Open this map full-screen in Google Maps — handy for saving it offline before you lose signal.
Outer Banks Maps by Area
The OBX is really several very different places strung together by one road. Pick your destination for a detailed map, beach access, and local tips:
- Corolla & Carova Map — the northern 4x4 beaches, wild horses, and where the pavement ends.
- Central Beaches (Duck, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head) — the classic vacation towns and public beach access.
- Hatteras Island Map — the seven villages, the lighthouse, and miles of national seashore.
- Ocracoke Island Map — the ferry-only island, the village, and Silver Lake Harbor.
- 4x4 Beach Access & ORV Ramp Map — where and how to legally drive on the sand.
- Directions to the Outer Banks — which bridge to take depending on where you’re headed.
Getting Around the Outer Banks
One road — NC Highway 12 — connects most of the Outer Banks, running from Corolla in the north all the way down through Hatteras Island, with a ferry hop to Ocracoke. In the far north, above Corolla, the road ends and the beach itself becomes the only route to the Carova neighborhoods, which is why so much of the OBX experience revolves around four-wheel-drive access. Plan extra time on summer weekends, when the bridges and Highway 12 see heavy turnover traffic.
Planning to Drive the Beach?
Many visitors come to the OBX specifically to drive on the sand — to reach the wild horses, fish from Cape Point, or just experience the open beach. It takes a properly equipped four-wheel-drive vehicle and, in most areas, a permit. If you don’t have the right vehicle, Beach4x4, our family’s 4WD rental company in Kill Devil Hills, rents Jeeps and 4x4 SUVs ready for OBX beach driving, and Corolla Jeep Rental focuses on the northern wild-horse beaches. Always check the OBX tide charts before heading out — the tide decides when the beach is drivable.
From the wild 4x4 beaches of Corolla to the remote shores of Ocracoke, find the map you need.
Beach Access Guide
Find every beach access point, parking area, and boardwalk from Corolla to Ocracoke.
Cape Hatteras ORV Map
ORV access ramps, permit requirements, and driving rules for Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
OBX Trail Maps
Hiking and biking trails with difficulty ratings, parking info, and scenic highlights.
Highway 12 Mile Markers
Navigate the 148-mile spine of the OBX with our complete mile marker guide.
Related OBX Guides
Explore more OBX maps and guides: Things to Do in the Outer Banks, Outer Banks Restaurants, Fishing Piers, Lighthouses, and Wild Horses.
Do you need a 4x4 to drive on Outer Banks beaches?
Yes, in certain areas. Carova Beach and North Corolla (past mile marker 20, where NC Highway 12 pavement ends) are only accessible by 4-wheel drive, and designated ORV ramps at Cape Hatteras National Seashore allow 4x4 beach driving. A permit is required at Cape Hatteras.
How much does an ORV beach driving permit cost at Cape Hatteras?
As of 2026, the National Park Service charges approximately $120 for an annual ORV permit and around $50 for a 10-day permit. Cape Hatteras ORV permits are purchased online through Recreation.gov. If you can’t print the proof of permit, self-certification display cards are available at NPS visitor centers and selected local businesses. Carova Beach requires no driving permit, but a Currituck County beach parking permit is required to park on the beach from mid-May through late September.
What tire pressure should I use for driving on Outer Banks sand?
Lower your tire pressure to about 18-20 PSI for better traction in soft sand. Other key rules: stay below the high tide line but above the wet sand when possible, obey posted speed limits (typically 15-25 mph), avoid dunes and vegetation, respect wildlife closures, and carry recovery equipment such as a shovel, tow strap, and air compressor.
Permit prices and rules last verified July 2026. Fees and dates can change — confirm current details with the National Park Service and Currituck County before you travel.