[Ohiogirl]

Just a suggestion. 2 years ago we took a train from Cary, NC (where my daughter lives) to D.C. (actually Alexandria, but there is also Union Station in downtown DC as an option. It was about a 6-7 hour trip from about 10:30 am to about 5:30 pm. We found it a delightful way to travel and very inexpensive if you get your tickets in advance. The Cary Station is safe to leave your car, IMO. There are probably stations further south from which to depart as well.

A few weeks ago, I took a different train from Deland, FL to Charleston, SC. It continued on to D.C. overnight. Would have been a long trip without a roomette booking, which I think is expensive.

We then took a free trolley up King St from the train/metro station in Alexandria and walked to our hotel, but would also have been a short taxi ride if you have more luggage. We travel light.

We did not want or need a car in DC. For us (being from Ohio), train travel is kind of fun. We enjoyed the roomy seats and brought our own small, collapsible cooler with a good lunch instead of purchasing/eating bad (again, MO) food on the train. There was only a snack bar on the train we took to DC.

If you don't have friends/relatives to meet up with on the way, like we did, you could extend your trip a day or two and see something interesting on your way to NC. Raleigh itself is well worth a visit if you have never been there. Nice walkable downtown with a free trolley loop, oldest working statehouse and other historical sights.