We're making the trip in August to Atlantic Beach this summer from Ohio. Since we can't ck-in til Sunday at 3pm we'll need to stop for the night somewhere in NC.

Trying to decide where to stop - Greensboro, Raleigh, or someplace closer. Hoping to find something reasonable that is an easy hope off and hope on the highway.

I believe the Sand Castle Competition is the first Saturday in August on Atlantic Beach. I don't know the times, but I'm thinking it might be nice to get over to the beach before noon to avoid the rush and see the contest.

Stopping somewhere in Greensboro gets us 7 1/2 hr down and 4 1/2 to go. Don't yet have hotel info.

Is there a better location to stop that is just off of I40 where there are clean hotels w/pool for good prices?