whenever we went to OBX we went 95s to 295s to 64e and did go through norfolk, through va beach and through the tunnel. Although I do remember times we did come back the way you are talking about. All you can do is try but I do remember when we went (and I am talking 20+ years ago before my parents moved to the beach they live and we have been going there instead) 64 used to get backed up certain times of the day/year. Not miserably so, but enough to be a pain.

If you leave late Friday night it shouldn't matter because the traffic will be very light in comparison to Sat morning.

Google is telling me to go through Norfolk. Won't that have double traffic (since there will be Virginia Beach families headed that way too?) I was thinking to go all the way to Rocky Mount and cut over on 64. Which is better?

We are going to leave late on Friday night, in the hopes that baby sleeps in the car.