Depends on where you're coming from and how you're getting there. But if you're in CA going to NC, you're probably flying, so these won't help, unless you're going to be out touring around.
There's MaryJo's Cloth store in Gastonia, NC, on I-85 exit 23?
http://maryjos.com/fabrics/
She has lots of batiks and novelty fabrics (food and many others) and wide backs, probably including some wide batiks. Great prices, too.
There's Carolina Fabric outlet at Swannoa (sp?) just east of Asheville, NC on I-40. More limited selection, but good prices.
There is a fabric outlet in the mountains in Virginia off I-77 and I-81, but I haven't been there. I think this is it.
http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Sho...yFabricOutlet/
I don't know too much about the RTP area. We mostly drive through NC on our way to somewhere else. This one looks interesting
http://www.milloutletvillage.com/ They have an outlet in Raleigh.
Forget the place you can see from I-40 near Burlington, NC. It's decorator fabric only.