95 S to 40 to 17 OR 95 to 38 to 501

We are coming from D.C. - Mapquest has us taking the former - some have suggested the latter. I heard 501 can be a bear. We are staying at the Harbour Lights at 501 and the Int. Coastal Waterway. We plant to leave D.C. at 5AM Sat 9/1, possibly Sun 9/2 and leaving MB Fri. 9/9 or 9/10. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

95 S to 40 to 17 OR 95 to 38 to 501

correction - Mapquest has the 501, 38, 501 route

95 S to 40 to 17 OR 95 to 38 to 501

My 2 cents-Labor Day weekend will certainly have traffic but in reality because you are on this side (Conway) of waterway, go ahead and take 501-because either way will have traffic. You will have 2 choices for grocery shopping you will pass thru the Carolina Forest Intersection and its not hard to miss a couple miles before your turn to Harbour Lights-you have a Kroger and Piggly Wiggly both very nice - or you can cross over the ICW and Bypass 17 and the next light turn right and you are at WalMart (just few miles) from where you are staying.