Cedar Island, about 1 hour east of Morehead on US-70, is the area's gateway to the rest of the Outer Banks. You can reach Ocracoke Island from the ferry terminal here; the sea trip is a little over 2 hours.
New Bern is about 1 hour north on US-70.
Wilmington is about 2 hours south on US-17.
The Research Triangle area Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill is about 3 hours northwest on US-70.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is about 4 hours south on US-17.