What are the top East Coast Beaches for Off-Roading?
The best off-roading beaches are popular for a reason. Our top picks have easy access, great views, and stretches of sand tracks so you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your all-wheel-drive Subaru. Be sure to check tide schedules, driving hours, and permits requirements before hitting the sand!
- East Beach, Rhode Island: Rhode Island is home to over 4,000 miles of beautiful coastline. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ninigret Pond, the Ocean State’s East Beach gives off-road drivers three miles of track to explore.
- Cape Hatteras, North Carolina: Known as one of the top beach driving locations in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras is maintained by the National Park Service and offers nearly 70 miles of beach driving adventure, wildlife, sand dunes, and ramp accesses.
- Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts: Another expansive beachfront is the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. These pristine sandy beaches, marshes, and ponds that expand for 40 miles, are home to a diversity of wildlife habitats.
- Daytona Beach, Florida: Daytona Beach is known as the “World's Most Famous Beach.” Daytona Beach boasts 23 miles of wide, compacted white sand beaches where drivers can coast at 10mph enjoying people watching and the ocean breeze. Just south of this beach is the beautiful New Smyrna Beach with an additional 5 miles of beach to traverse. These beaches are traveled so frequently you don’t even need an all-wheel-drive vehicle!
What are Some Other Good Spots for Off-Roading on the East Coast?
Venturing inland from the coastline, be sure to prepare your Subaru for rougher terrain. Check out these great locations for your next inland off-roading adventure.
- Rock Run, Pennsylvania: Located in Cambria and Clearfield counties, Rock Run will take your 4WD or AWD Subaru on 140 miles of rocky, but not too extreme Allegheny Mountain off-road adventure.
- Beartown State Forest, Maine: As one of the largest state forests in Maine, Beartown State Forest offers a challenging 16 miles of rough terrain for you to conquer.
- Pachaug State Forest, Connecticut: The 22,000-acre Pachaug State Forest has 58 miles of trails traversing the variety of elevation changes with different off-road ratings from easy to moderate.
What Accessories do I Need to go Off-Roading on Sand?
Whether you plan weeks in advance to go off-roading in your Subaru or you succumb to a spur of the moment adventure calling, be sure you have some essential accessories ready to keep your vehicle going. First, your street tires actually work okay in compacted sand as long as they have a lower PSI. Prepare your all-wheel drive Subaru to go off-roading at the beach with a full spare, a heavy-duty tire plug/repair kit with jack, a deflator kit, and a compressor kit so you don’t drive off the beach with soft tires.
Be sure to pack a shovel, some traction mats or traction tracks and bring an off-roading kit with some D-hook shackles, and a chain or tow straps. While we don’t completely agree with the saying “if you’re not getting bogged, you’re not trying hard enough,” we do recommend always being prepared to get yourself and your Subaru unstuck!
Is AWD or 4WD Better in Sand?
Both AWD (all-wheel drive) and 4-wheel drive (4WD or 4x4) vehicles can drive on the beach, and maneuver better with a little air let out of the tires so there is an 1/8-inch difference or 15-18 PSI. Subarus with 4WD can cruise easily through beaches on wet and dry sand and their front and rear axles lock for excellent torque, power, and traction.
An AWD Subaru can also tackle the beach scene with some extra care on your part. Sticking to existing tire tracks is always a good idea. Hard compacted sand will give your tires traction and avoid softer sand areas. The lighter-weight AWD is much more comfortable to ride in and might actually do better in the right conditions with its power-to-weight ratio.
Is it Better to Drive on Wet or Dry Sand?
Taking your Subaru off-roading on dry sand requires less maneuvering so you can take in the pristine scenery. But be sure to drive slow and steady to avoid digging yourself too deep, literally! Coasting along the waterline in the wet sand, you can drive your Subaru all-wheel drive much faster. However, stopping for too long on the wet sand to relax or take pictures will make it more difficult to get going again when your tires sink into the sand.
Why are Subarus Good for Off-Roading?
Subarus are great for off-roading on the beach or scaling the hills with their generous ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive capability, and exceptional maneuverability. With the proper preparation and accessories, you can join the millions experiencing the fun and excitement of the outdoors. Call (888) 711-0779 or stop in to Rafferty Subaru to find out how you can drive the sand tracks of the east coast’s best off-roading beaches.
