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We’ve hunted down direct flights out of Raleigh-Durham so you don’t have to spend your vacation day in an Atlanta layover. Here’s where you can land beach feet in one hop.

1. Daytona Beach, Florida This one surprised us. Nonstop from RDU, you can leave after lunch and be checked into an oceanfront room by dinner. It also puts you close to New Smyrna Beach and West Volusia’s spring-fed rivers if your crew wants to swap sand for manatee sightings one afternoon.

2. Tampa, Florida Four different airlinesfly this route nonstop, so you’ve got real flexibility on timing and price. Tampa gives you beach access plus a legit city to explore if the kids need a museum day.

3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Reliable nonstop service and typically one of the more affordable Florida beach options from RDU. Good base for day-tripping into Miami without paying Miami hotel prices.

4. Cancun, Mexico If you want the passport stamp without the long-haul flight, this is it. Multiple airlines fly direct, and you get turquoise water plus Mayan ruins nearby if anyone in your family is into history (or just wants shade for a few hours).

5. Nassau, Bahamas One direct option gets you island time without multiple stops. Close enough for a long weekend, far enough to feel like a real trip.

6. Freeport, Grand Bahama Less crowded than Nassau, still a direct shot from RDU. Good pick if you want beach quiet over beach buzz.

7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Direct service here has made this one of the easier all-inclusive resort runs from the Triangle. Great option if you want the trip to basically plan itself once you land.

For live pricing and schedules, RDU keeps its nonstop destination list updated here: rdu.com/airline-information/airline-destinations

Which one of these is calling your name for an end of summer trip?

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