If you are willing to go a more "southern" route, here is what we do from SE Ohio. We go 77 south thru W. Virginia into Virginia and the go across NC on 74/52/40, then around Raleigh on 540 (slightly longer but less stressful bypass of Raleigh) and then 64 to the Outer Banks. So much less stressful than the northern route thru Virginia. We sometimes stay overnight near Wyethville VA. There is a great state park on 77 named Camp Creek in WVa that we also like to stop and have lunch at the picnic shelter. There are two tunnels, 3 tolls and the bridges from the mainland to Roanoke Island and then bridge/causeway to Nags Head, but we still prefer it over the other routes.
When we used to do this with our dogs, we would stay in hotels in the Hillsville VA area several times with good results with the dogs, kids and grandparents. I have noticed over the years that the names change, but the hotels are generally good along this area directly off the highway. We stayed at what is now the Quality Inn there when it was a Comfort Suites(?). Nice and good location. I think we also stayed at what is now the Hampton Hillsville once. It was a late check in, get 6 hrs sleep and leave, but I think it was ok. Several are pet friendly, the Quality Inn was ok. Now that the kids are older and the dogs stay home, we haven't stayed in a hotel along the way for a few years.
Overall, this is a bit longer mileage wise, but we found it to be a superior route of all the ones we have tried. Especially with kids or dogs. Plenty of places to stop to take breaks, eat, hotels, etc.
Even though I use a GPS (yes, an actual Garmin GPS, not my phone) I still bring a paper road atlas with the route highlighted. If you want to try a phone app, my daughter swears by the WAZE app.
Good luck, safe travels and hope the trip is relaxing.
Leon
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