Newport, NC Road Trips
Drivers starting from Newport, NC have 7 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Southeast. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 96-mile quick runs to 388-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Newport, NC head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
7
Longest Drive
387.8 mi
Asheville, NC
Quickest Drive
2h 17m
Wilmington, NC
Plan Around Newport, NC
Continue From Newport, NC
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Newport, NC
Newport, NC to Asheville, NC
Newport, NC to Greensboro, NC
Newport, NC to Durham, NC
Newport, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Newport, NC to West Raleigh, NC
Newport, NC to Raleigh, NC
Newport, NC to Wilmington, NC
Driving from Newport, NC
The typical drive from Newport, NC covers about 184 miles and takes around 3h 46m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 388 miles (7h 35m), while the shortest is just 96 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Newport, NC most often head toward Asheville, NC (387.8 mi, 7h 35m), Greensboro, NC (217.3 mi, 4h 23m), Durham, NC (165 mi, 3h 19m), Fayetteville, NC (142.1 mi, 3h 6m), and West Raleigh, NC (142 mi, 2h 55m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in NC currently averages around $3.96 per gallon. For the typical 184-mile trip from Newport, NC, budget about $29 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Newport, NC and 0 routes heading into Newport, NC, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 96 to 388 miles.
The longest mapped route from Newport, NC covers 388 miles and takes approximately 7h 35m. Shorter options start at just 96 miles.
The average route from Newport, NC runs about 184 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 46m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.96/gallon for regular), the average 184-mile trip from Newport, NC costs roughly $29 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Newport, NC include Asheville, NC, Greensboro, NC, Durham, NC and Fayetteville, NC. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Newport, NC by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
4,428
Median Income
$76,091
Median Home Value
$245,300
Median Age
43.2
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Newport, NC
Newport is a small town just outside the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina, situated on the scenic Newport River. Because it's inland, away from the touristy coastal area, and doesn't have much in the way of attractions, Newport remains a mostly residential community. However, it's in the Croatan National Forest, so if you want a convenient base to reach both the beach and the woods, Newport might be the ideal spot.
When you leave the Crystal Coast, the rest of Carteret County is taken up by the Croatan National Forest. Newport is in the southeastern corner of it; the larger town of Havelock, to the north, is smack in the middle. It contains elevated swamp habitat, salt marsh, estuaries and carnivorous plants. The White Oak, Neuse and Newport rivers flow through the forest. As activities go, there are plenty of boat ramps, canoeing areas, fishing spots and trails, some of them self-guided.
At the end of March, Newport hosts the Newport Pig Cookin' Contest in the community park, an annual tradition since 1978. Over 80 cooks, armed with their own secret sauces, grill a whole pig in the hopes of winning a cash prize. Little Doo Mud Bog, 678 Tom Mann Rd, ☏ +1 252-223-4604. One of the more unusual activities in the Crystal Coast area, Little Doo Mud Bog offers entertainment for the entire family, centered around a wide muddy track. Adults can bring trucks or buggies to race, and there's also a smaller track where kids can race in toy trucks. There's a race every Saturday at 6PM; Gates open at 3PM. $7 (adults), free for kids 12 and under. Outside Newport, near the community of Mill Creek where the Newport River widens out to meet the Bogue Sound, people often take their boats out to go shrimping, or harvest fresh oysters.
Fat Fellas, 133 East Chatham St (US-70 to Howard Blvd.; turn right on East Chatham St; on left next to gas station), ☏ +1 252 223 3299. Tu-Sa 6AM-8PM, Su M 6AM-2PM. Features Carolina BBQ and surf and turf. (updated Nov 2017)
Mixed drinks are not available for purchase in Newport restaurants, only beer and wine. If you want something stronger, there's an ABC store at 7015 Hwy 70 East, ☏ +1 252-223-4136; but it isn't open on Sundays.
Hostess House Courtyard, 6741 Hwy 70, ☏ +1-252-223-6020, toll-free: +1-800-501-5770. 125 rooms. The only hotel in town, with a playground, game room, miniature golf. $39-59 off-season, $59-89 peak season. The greater Newport area features several campsites where you can stay very cheaply on the Bogue Sound. These sites are closer to Cape Carteret, and all are practically on the water. Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort, 350 Red Barn Rd, ☏ +1 252-393-2628, toll-free: +1-866-839-2628. Offers a large swimming pool, a 135' waterslide, sun decks, a beach area, basketball and badminton, jet skiing, great saltwater fishing from the 250' fishing pier, clamming, scalloping and oystering. Full hookup sites, tent sites. Fully grassed, paved streets, night lights. Leashed pets welcome. Open year-round. Water's Edge RV Park, 1463 Hwy 24, ☏ +1 252-247-0494, +1 252-247-0709. Features a pier over Bogue Sound, beach and ocean access, nearby golf courses. 72 full hookup sites, tent sites, tiled bath house with hot showers. Whispering Pines RV Park and Campground, 25 Whispering Pines on Hwy 24 (8 miles east of Cape Carteret, 8 miles west of Morehead City), ☏ +1 252-726-4902. 100 full hookup sites, tent sites. Pets welcome. Open year-round. Rates per single night: $26 (tent site), $33.35 (RV).
Newport is right on US-70, between Havelock and Morehead City. As with the rest of the region, it's about a 3-hour drive from Raleigh.
Being a rural town, Newport has no public transportation to speak of. Bring your car; you'll need it to get here anyway.
Travel tips adapted from Newport (North Carolina) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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