How to Drive on the 4×4 Beach

Tips and Tricks for Driving on the 4×4 Beach

Did you book a 4×4 vacation rental or just want to cruise up to the northern beaches for the day? Driving on the 4×4 beaches is much different than driving on paved roads. Our 4×4 beach driving expert, Edward, has tips and tricks to help make your 4×4 beach driving experience enjoyable.

First and foremost, check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to be sure that your particular make and model is sufficient for driving on the beach. 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles with higher clearance tend to perform well on the beach; we recommend at least 7.5 inches of ground clearance.

Air Down

Lowering your tire pressure is essential for driving on sand. Tires with lower air pressure have more traction, which helps the tires roll on the sand instead of dig in. We will provide a Twiddy tire gauge upon arrival. Tire pressure can be lowered in our Corolla office parking lot, which is less than a mile from the 4×4 beach access ramp. The recommended tire pressure is 18-20 psi.

Be on the Lookout

Once you are on the 4×4 beaches, be on the lookout for people and wild horses. The speed limit on the beach is 35 mph when no people or horses are around and 15 mph when within 300 feet of people, but be aware of your speed around horses as well!

Follow the Rules of the Road

Rules and regulations of paved roads apply to the beaches as well. If you see horses that you’d like to take pictures of, pull over and park. Stopping in the middle of the flow of traffic can cause a traffic jam on the beach. Traffic normally flows as it would on paved roads, where you drive on the right. Occasionally, you will drive to the left of oncoming traffic if the oncoming vehicle has its turn signal on to indicate that they are staying close to the water.

Parking on the 4×4 Beach

When parking on the 4×4 beach, your vehicle should be perpendicular to the ocean, east of the dune line, and west of the high tide line. During certain times of the year, a 4×4 parking pass is required to park on the beach. Parking passes must be purchased from Currituck County. See Currituck County’s website for the most recent information on 4×4 beach parking passes.

Getting Around

Cell phone service and map functions work better than they ever have on the 4×4 beaches. However, we recommend downloading or printing directions to your vacation rental prior to heading up the 4×4 beach. A map and directions to your vacation home will be provided in your arrival packet.

Things to Do on the 4×4 Beaches

The 4×4 beaches may be undeveloped, but there’s plenty to do. Watch the Corolla Wild Horses in their natural environment. Take a long walk on the beach and collect seashells. Go fishing in hopes of catching your dinner. Grab your surfboard and catch a few waves. Help the kids build an epic sandcastle.

Twiddy & Company

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