Road Trips from Asheville, NC
Heading out of Asheville this weekend? You've got options ranging from quick, four-hour hops to slightly longer, seven-hour excursions. Most of these routes stick to gently rolling terrain, and all of them offer park access, making them great for a day trip or a short overnight. You can hit the highway for a faster drive or opt for surface roads if you prefer a more scenic route. The drive scores are consistently high, averaging around 8.5, so you're in for a good time no matter which direction you choose.
Total Routes
36
Shortest
3h
With Parks Nearby
18
Full-day getaway
Mebane, NC
3h 57m202.6 mi one way
This 4-hour drive lands you in Mebane, NC. It's a solid choice if you want a mostly highway route covering 202.6 miles. The terrain is gently rolling, and it has a good drive score of 8, making it a straightforward option for getting out of town.
City of Graham, NC
3h 47m194.7 mi one way
If you're looking for a destination similar in length and terrain to Mebane, the City of Graham, NC is 3.8 hours away and 194.7 miles. This mostly highway route also boasts a drive score of 8 and offers park access, providing a comparable experience for a day trip.
Walkertown, NC
3h153.7 mi one way
Walkertown, NC is one of the closer options, just 3 hours away and 153.7 miles. This route is mostly highway with gently rolling terrain and a drive score of 8. It's a good choice for a shorter trip with park access.
Rural Hall, NC
3h 1m152.9 mi one way
Similar to Walkertown, Rural Hall, NC is also a 3-hour drive, covering 152.9 miles. The profile is mostly highway, the terrain is gently rolling, and it has a drive score of 8. This makes it an efficient option for a quick getaway with park access.
Weekend trip
32 total in this range
Wilmington, NC
6h 34m322.2 mi one way
Carolina Beach, NC
6h 58m336.1 mi one way
For a longer trip, consider Carolina Beach, NC. It's a 7-hour drive, 336.1 miles, and features a high drive score of 9. This route is mostly surface roads and includes access to Moores Creek National Battlefield, offering a different driving experience and a significant historical site.
Laurinburg, NC
4h 32m217.4 mi one way
Laurinburg, NC is a 4.5-hour drive, 217.4 miles. This option uses a mix of highway and surface roads, offering a varied 4.5-hour journey with a strong drive score of 9. The terrain is gently rolling, and park access is included.
Whispering Pines, NC
4h 37m213.3 mi one way
Whispering Pines, NC is a 4.6-hour drive covering 213.3 miles. This route is predominantly highway, has gently rolling terrain, and scores a 9 for the drive. It's a good option if you prefer more highway miles on your trip.
Bayshore, NC
6h 50m335.1 mi one way
Bayshore, NC offers a longer, 6.8-hour drive over 335.1 miles. Primarily on surface roads, this route has a high drive score of 9 and includes access to Moores Creek National Battlefield, making it a more immersive journey than some of the shorter, highway-focused trips.
Browse by Mood
Wilmington, NC
6h 34m322.2 mi one way
Carolina Beach, NC
6h 58m336.1 mi one way
Laurinburg, NC
4h 32m217.4 mi one way
Whispering Pines, NC
4h 37m213.3 mi one way
Wilmington, NC
6h 34m322.2 mi one way
Carolina Beach, NC
6h 58m336.1 mi one way
Laurinburg, NC
4h 32m217.4 mi one way
Southport, NC
6h 54m335 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
With gently rolling terrain and park access on all routes, spring offers pleasant driving conditions for any of these destinations.
Summer
All these routes feature park access, providing opportunities for outdoor activities during the warmer summer months.
Fall
The gently rolling terrain on these drives makes them suitable for enjoying the changing scenery in the fall.
Winter
With mostly highway options available, winter drives to these destinations are generally straightforward and efficient.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Asheville, NC city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.