Frequently Asked Questions

Our pricing is structured by duration: 1-Day rentals are $275, 2-Day rentals are $225 per day, 3-6 Day rentals are $200 per day, and Weekly rentals are $1,338 total.

One-day rentals are $275 and are not overnight, with a full tank of gas required at return (gas not included). To book, fill out our online booking form and email or text proof of full coverage auto insurance to bret@beach4x4.com. Pickup is as early as 7 AM and return must be by 8 PM. One-day rentals are non-refundable.

We don’t start booking one-day rentals until 2 days before your date, but Island Jeep and Car Rental or Outer Banks Jeep Rentals allow booking further out. If we’re fully booked or your date is more than 2 days away, we recommend checking with them for alternative options.

To secure your reservation, we require proof of a full-coverage personal auto insurance policy. You can text or email this to us at bret@beach4x4.com or (252) 564-4218 during the booking process.

If you cancel 7 days or more prior to your pickup date, you will receive a full refund with no charge. If you cancel within 7 days of your pickup date, there is a $225 cancellation fee. One-day rentals are non-refundable. For dangerous weather, full refunds are issued on multi-day rentals — contact us.

We are open 7 days a week, all year round, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM for reservation holders.

Yes, free parking is available! We have plenty of room for you to leave your personal vehicle at our location while you enjoy your 4WD rental.

No, we do not offer vehicle delivery. All rentals must be picked up at our shop location.

If you wish to extend your rental, please call us at (252) 564-4218 to check for availability.

Yes, we accept debit cards for payment. However, please note that when using a debit card, a security hold of $300 will be placed on your account at the time of rental.

Renters must be at least 25 years old with a valid driver’s license.

Our pickup location is 2101 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. We share a driveway with the U-Haul facility.

We can accommodate pickups from Norfolk International (ORF) and First Flight (FFA) airports. Please contact us directly at (252) 564-4218 or bret@beach4x4.com to arrange these details.

No. The nearest 4×4 and Jeep rental location is our Kill Devil Hills lot, 30–35 minutes south on Route 12.

Kill Devil Hills — about 30–35 minutes south of Corolla village, 45 minutes from the 4×4 beach access ramp. Easy stop on your way in.

Yes, included free with every rental. Your vehicle sits safely off the salt and sand.

Yes, pre-installed on every vehicle — no extra cost, no paperwork.

Weekly rentals, $1,338 flat for any 4WD in our fleet.

Yes — we offer an ORF Jeep Rental service. This is available for weekly rentals (7 days) only. Pickup is conveniently located just outside baggage claim, so no shuttle is needed.

For dangerous weather (severe storms, hurricanes, etc.), we issue full refunds on multi-day rentals — contact the owners as soon as possible. Ordinary rain is rain or shine. One-day rentals are non-refundable, including in bad weather.

Yes! Both the Currituck County permit (for Corolla/Carova) and the ORV Permit for Cape Hatteras National Seashore are included with your rental. This saves you $50-$120 in separate fees.

We offer soft-top Jeep Wranglers (seating up to 5), Jeep Gladiators with truck beds (seating up to 5), and spacious 4WD SUVs (seating up to 8 adults).

For beach driving, we recommend lowering tire pressure to 18-20 PSI to increase traction and reduce sinking in soft sand. We’ll set this for you before your rental. Remember to air back up to normal pressure (around 32 PSI) before driving on regular roads.

On our Jeeps, you engage 4WD by pulling the short shifter straight back. For very soft or deep sand, shift into 4WD Low. Always shift into 4WD before leaving the pavement and never use 2WD on the beach.

Yes, all our vehicles are fully street-legal and can be driven on regular paved roads.

All of our vehicles are automatic transmission — easy for everyone to drive, no manual shifting required.

Our soft-top Jeeps are designed so the top can easily fold back for an open-air experience. However, for safety and liability reasons, you may not remove the doors. They also have a locked hinge to prevent removal. But our friends at Outer Banks Jeep Rentals have Wranglers with the doors removed if that’s what you’re looking for.

Some of our vehicles are equipped with receiver hitches. Please contact us at (252) 564-4218 before booking to confirm availability on a specific vehicle for your trip.

We do not include portable pumps, but there are several convenient air-up stations available: Corolla Lighthouse, Sunoco in Avon, and Frisco Rod and Gun. Plan your return to paved roads near one of these stations.

Every rental includes a jack, a jack support board (to prevent sinking in the sand), a shovel, and a low-pressure tire gauge. These items are required for driving in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

No! All of our rentals include the necessary beach parking passes for both Corolla and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Yes, absolutely. Our vehicles are fully permitted and insured for beach driving on designated 4×4 beaches, including the Corolla 4×4 area north of the paved road and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Yes! Every rental includes an air compressor for reinflating your tires before returning to paved roads, plus a shovel and tow strap for recovery.

First, do not spin your tires—this will only dig you deeper. Use the provided shovel to clear sand from around the tires, drop your tire pressure (PSI) a bit more, and try reversing gently. All of our vehicles have recovery hooks and a tow strap. It’s a badge of honor for other beach goers to give you a tug out of the rut! If you’re still stuck and need professional help, you can call a local recovery service or reach out to us at (252) 564-4218 for advice.

While there are no official restrictions, it is highly recommended to drive near low tide when the sand is hard-packed. Never drive in the ocean water or salt wash (the wet, wave-washed area where waves run up the beach), as it causes severe damage to the vehicle.

The typical speed limit on the beach is 25 MPH. However, you must drop your speed to 15 MPH when driving within 300 feet of people, wildlife, or parked vehicles.

Multi-day rentals are rain or shine for normal weather — we are unable to reschedule or refund due to ordinary rain. The Outer Banks is beautiful in all conditions, and beach driving in light rain can be a unique experience. For dangerous weather (severe storms, hurricanes, etc.), we issue full refunds — contact us as soon as possible. One-day rentals are rain or shine and non-refundable, no exceptions. Please avoid driving on the beach during active thunderstorms for safety.

You can drive on designated 4×4 beaches, primarily the Carova beaches north of Corolla and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Always check local regulations before driving.

The nearest Corolla 4×4 beach access ramp is approximately a 30-minute drive north of our shop. Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach access points are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours south, depending on which ramp you use.

The wild horses are located about 30-40 minutes north of our location, in the 4×4 area of Carova.

There is a very high chance of seeing the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs if you drive to the Carova 4×4 area, though sightings are never guaranteed. They roam freely, so patience and observation are key.

By law, you must maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from the horses at all times. Do not feed them—human food (even apples or carrots) is fatal to their specialized digestive systems. Always treat them as the wild animals they are.

Night driving is not recommended due to visibility issues and safety concerns. Please check local regulations as some areas restrict or prohibit it.

Bathroom availability varies by location. Carova has very limited public facilities, so please plan accordingly.

Yes! The Cape Hatteras beach driving pass includes Ocracoke Island, so you can take your Jeep on the car ferry and explore the island.

Yes, for any beach north of the paved road at the Corolla pavement end. The 4×4-only beaches (Carova, Swan Beach, North Swan, Penny Hill) are accessible only by 4WD.

For the vast majority of beach driving, 4WD High (4H) is the correct choice. It allows for enough wheel speed to maintain momentum over the sand. 4WD Low (4L) should be reserved for extremely soft, deep sand, steep inclines, or when you are attempting to recover a stuck vehicle. 4L provides maximum torque but limits your speed significantly.

The golden rule: Take your foot off the gas immediately. Sudden acceleration will only dig you deeper until your chassis rests on the sand. Stop the vehicle, get out, and lower your tire pressure further (down to 10-12 PSI if needed). Clear sand away from all four tires and the undercarriage. Try to gently reverse out of the holes you’ve dug, rocking back and forth slightly if necessary.

Driving in the ocean wash is highly risky and generally discouraged. Saltwater is incredibly corrosive and will rapidly damage electrical components, brakes, and the chassis. Furthermore, the sand beneath the wash can be deceptively soft, leading to a stuck vehicle that is quickly swallowed by the incoming tide. If you must cross a wash, do so slowly and ensure you thoroughly rinse the vehicle’s undercarriage with fresh water as soon as possible.

Established tracks are the visible ruts left by previous vehicles. Following them is highly recommended because the sand in these tracks is already compacted, providing better traction and reducing the strain on your engine and transmission. Straying from established tracks increases your risk of hitting unexpectedly soft sand and damages fragile dune vegetation.

Momentum is your best friend. Keep a steady, consistent speed—don’t brake sharply or accelerate aggressively. Keep your steering inputs smooth and gradual; sharp turns create a plow effect with your front tires, rapidly killing momentum and burying the vehicle. Anticipate changes in sand texture (lighter, drier sand is usually softer) and adjust your line or gear accordingly before you hit it.

For optimal beach driving on the Outer Banks, we recommend airing down to 18-20 PSI. This provides an excellent balance of traction and ground clearance for most standard 4WD vehicles and SUVs.

Airing down significantly reduces the risk of getting stuck. By lowering the pressure, the tire flexes and lengthens its footprint (like a tank tread). This spreads the vehicle’s weight over a larger surface area, allowing it to conform to the terrain and float over soft sand instead of slicing down into it.

If you encounter exceptionally deep, powdery sand (often found near dune lines or during long dry spells), you can drop your pressure to 15-18 PSI. However, never go below 10 PSI unless it is an absolute emergency recovery situation, as you risk unseating the tire bead from the rim.

Check your pressure regularly with a reliable, high-quality dial or digital gauge before heading out. Tire pressure changes with temperature. A tire set to 18 PSI in the cool morning may rise to 22 PSI in the hot afternoon sun. Carry a portable 12V air compressor so you aren’t reliant on finding a working gas station air pump when leaving the beach.

Corolla requires a Corolla-specific ORV permit. Cape Hatteras needs a Cape Hatteras ORV permit. Kill Devil Hills uses a Dare County ORV permit. Each permit grants access only to its designated area.

An ORV permit authorizes driving on approved beach sections and is tied to the vehicle. A parking permit is for designated beach parking lots only and grants no sand driving privileges.

Corolla: April 1 through November 30. Cape Hatteras: March 15 to November 15. Kill Devil Hills: April 15 to October 31. Permits are valid only during designated seasons.

The ‘Golden Rule’ for OBX beach driving is to air down your tires to exactly 18-20 PSI. This pressure provides the optimal elongated footprint for soft sand navigation while preventing you from sinking. It is also safe enough to drive on pavement for short distances, provided you keep your speed strictly under 50 mph on the highway until you can re-inflate.

Speed limits are strictly enforced on the beach. Drive 15 mph when within 300 feet of people, pets, or wildlife. In less crowded, open areas, the limit is generally 25-35 mph depending on the specific town’s regulations. Always adjust your speed downward for poor weather, soft sand, or crowded conditions.

Night driving is generally discouraged due to severely limited visibility and the high risk of striking wildlife (like nesting sea turtles or wild horses) or unseen hazards (like deep ruts or debris). If you must drive at night, proceed with extreme caution and always check local regulations, as some areas prohibit night driving entirely during certain seasons.

Park only in marked or designated zones. Avoid parking in extremely soft sand where you might get stuck upon trying to leave. Always respect posted signs, stay off the dunes and vegetation, and ensure you are parked well above the high-tide line so your vehicle isn’t caught by rising water.

‘Wash boarding’ refers to the bumpy, corrugated surface that forms on heavily trafficked sandy trails. To navigate it safely, drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking or acceleration, which makes the ruts worse. Reduce your speed significantly on rough patches to maintain control and prevent damage to the vehicle’s suspension.

Always use 4WD (not AWD) when on the sand. Check the tide charts before you go—driving at low tide is safest. Carry essential recovery gear (shovel, tow strap, traction boards, tire gauge). Stay alert to changing sand textures (lighter sand is usually softer) and rapidly changing coastal weather conditions.

For the Currituck County (Corolla) beaches, permits are available online through the county website. For Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you must obtain an ORV permit via Recreation.gov. Note that some areas require permits for parking, while others require them just to enter the ramp.

If you get stuck, do not keep spinning your tires—you will only bury the vehicle to the frame. Check your tire pressure first (ensure you are at 18 PSI). If you need a pull, you must call a professional off-road recovery service; private citizens are often discouraged from towing others due to liability and equipment risks.

There is no fee to simply drive on the beach, but there is a fee for the weekly parking permit if you plan to stop and spend the day.

No, we do not sell in-house insurance. We require that you provide proof of a full-coverage personal auto insurance policy that extends to rental vehicles.

Most credit card rental coverage is secondary and does not extend to off-road use on beaches. We require a full-coverage personal auto insurance policy as primary coverage.

If you do not have full coverage personal auto insurance, you will need to purchase a rental insurance policy before your reservation. Options include non-owner auto insurance policies or standalone rental car insurance from providers. Contact your insurance agent or shop online for short-term rental coverage that includes off-road use.

The renter is fully responsible for any damage to the vehicle during the rental period and must cover the insurance deductible.

Yes. You must provide proof of comprehensive auto insurance via email or text before your booking is confirmed. We do not offer damage waivers at the counter; liability falls on the renter’s personal insurance.

Yes! We proudly offer pet-friendly Jeep and SUV rentals so your furry family members can join the adventure.

Rules vary by town: Carova and Duck allow dogs unleashed (under watchful eye/voice control). Southern Shores has strict seasonal hours and a year-round leash law. Kitty Hawk requires a leash (12 ft max) during summer days. Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills have varying seasonal leash requirements. Always check local ordinances before your trip.

Yes, dogs can ride with the top down, but please use a secure pet harness to ensure their safety.

All sizes and breeds are welcome! We only require that your pets are well-behaved.

We expect normal beach use — some sand is totally fine! However, please remove all personal belongings and trash before returning. If the vehicle is returned excessively dirty (e.g., mud-caked interior, pet hair throughout, food spills), a cleaning fee may apply.

Your rental will be provided with a full tank of gas. You are required to refuel it to a full tank before returning it by 8:00 PM on your final rental day. If the vehicle is returned without a full tank, you will be charged for the missing fuel at a premium rate.