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Fall Road Trips in North Carolina

Routes

30

Avg Distance

391 mi

Avg Drive

7h 47m

Destinations

21

North Carolina in the fall offers a diverse range of driving experiences, from coastal routes to mountain roads. With 30 trips averaging 391 miles and 467 minutes, you'll find options for both quick excursions and longer adventures. The terrain varies, with max elevations reaching over 1,900 feet on some routes, promising scenic views as the leaves change.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.75/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$51–$114

One-way, ~391 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~137 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

Climate through the year: North Carolina

North Carolina peaks at around 90°F in Jul and cools to 52°F / 32°F in Jan. Wettest month is Aug at ~4.4 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 52 32 3.5 1.6
Feb 57 35 3.1 1.1
Mar 64 41 4 0.3
Apr 73 49 3.8 —
May 80 58 3.4 —
Jun 87 66 4 —
Jul 90 70 3.7 —
Aug 89 69 4.4 —
Sep peak 83 63 3.7 —
Oct peak 73 50 3.2 —
Nov peak 63 40 3.3 0.1
Dec 55 35 3.6 0.4

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for NC — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in North Carolina that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 391 miles).
Current regular gas averages $3.75/gallon in North Carolina (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $51 and $114. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Sep, Oct, Nov, North Carolina typically sees daytime highs in the 63–83°F range with about 3.4 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Editor's pick

Greensboro, NC → Fort Lauderdale, FL

769.1 mi 14h 19m Score: 6/10 ~$114 fuel

Through: Beltway → Jacksonville Beaches → Fort Pierce +2 more

5 tricky spots

This extensive 769-mile drive heads south from Greensboro, offering a change of scenery with its mostly flat terrain and a drive score of 6. It's a good option for those looking to cover a lot of ground.

Editor's pick

Middlesex, NC → McMurray, PA

465.8 mi 9h 17m Score: 8/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Norfolk → Williamsburg → Berkeley Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Traveling north from Middlesex, this 465-mile route features gently rolling terrain and a higher drive score of 8. It reaches an elevation of 1,822 feet, providing a more varied landscape.

Editor's pick

Wilmington, NC → Liberty, NC

451.9 mi 9h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Greenville → Pelzer → Toccoa +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This 451-mile trip within North Carolina boasts a drive score of 8 and gently rolling terrain reaching 1,911 feet. It's notable for including park access, enhancing the fall foliage viewing opportunities.

Holly Springs, NC → Chapel Hill, NC

424.2 mi 8h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Havelock, NC → Chapel Hill, NC

416.4 mi 8h 27m Score: 7/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots

New Bern, NC → Chapel Hill, NC

398.8 mi 8h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buxton, NC → Charlotte, NC

398.7 mi 8h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Liberty, NC → Fayetteville, NC

391.5 mi 8h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Durham

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Greenville, NC → Franklin, NC

390.4 mi 7h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Statesville → Waynesville → Maggie Valley +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Newport, NC → Asheville, NC

387.8 mi 7h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Williamston, NC → Chapel Hill, NC

380 mi 7h 41m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Havelock, NC → Asheville, NC

379.9 mi 7h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Liberty, NC → Raleigh, NC

376.3 mi 7h 41m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Martinsville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Liberty, NC → West Raleigh, NC

373.7 mi 7h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Martinsville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Piney Green, NC → Asheville, NC

373.5 mi 7h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chapel Hill, NC → Carolina Beach, NC

371.5 mi 7h 57m Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Rutherfordton → Spartanburg → Charlotte +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → Plymouth, NC

369.8 mi 7h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Martinsville → Wilson → Greenville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Jacksonville, NC → Albemarle, NC

367 mi 7h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

River Bend, NC → Asheville, NC

364.6 mi 7h 4m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

James City, NC → Asheville, NC

362.8 mi 7h Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Statesville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → New Bern, NC

358.4 mi 7h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Durham → Pittsboro

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → Trent Woods, NC

357.2 mi 7h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Durham → Pittsboro

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → Half Moon, NC

356.2 mi 7h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Durham → Pittsboro → Wilmington +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → River Road, NC

355.9 mi 6h 58m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Martinsville → Wilson → Greenville +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Andrews, NC → Fayetteville, NC

355.4 mi 7h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Durham

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Liberty, NC → Durham, NC

353 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Martinsville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chapel Hill, NC → Leland, NC

351 mi 7h 24m Score: 9/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Rutherfordton → Spartanburg → Charlotte +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Manteo, NC → Charlotte, NC

348.2 mi 6h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$51 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Asheville, NC → Burgaw, NC

347.1 mi 6h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$51 fuel

Through: Durham → Pittsboro → Wilmington

5 tricky spots High drive quality

East Flat Rock, NC → Greenville, NC

343.9 mi 6h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$51 fuel

Through: Spartanburg → Charlotte → High Point +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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