Traveling from Archer Lodge to High Point covers approximately 110.9 miles through the Southeast, typically taking about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $18 for fuel to complete the journey, making it a very economical excursion. Since the route stays entirely within North Carolina, you won't need to worry about changing regional driving laws or time zones. It is an efficient connection between these two areas, ideal if you are looking to reach your destination quickly rather than focusing on a multi-day sightseeing tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
42.3 mi
48m
Northern Wake Expressway
20.8 mi
22m
US 29
12.5 mi
13m
South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi
12m
I 40
7.7 mi
9m
Smithfield Road
3.3 mi
5m
Buffalo Road
2.6 mi
4m
New Raleigh Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Archer Lodge, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Buffalo Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Buffalo Road
2
Turn left onto Lake Wendell Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Lake Wendell Road
3
Continue on State Road 2508
0.6 mi·49 sec·State Road 2508
4
Continue on Bissette Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Bissette Road
5
Turn right onto Smithfield Road
3.3 mi·5 min·Smithfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: RaleighUse the left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264
1.6 mi·1 min·I 87; US 64; US 264
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 540
21 mi·22 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
13
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi·5 min·US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: CharlotteUse the left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 14 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your plans. Since there are zero formal stops required by the route data, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. If you are sensitive to traffic, try to avoid peak hours on I-85 to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Northern Wake Expressway, as this initial leg sets the pace for the rest of your travel. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of arriving in High Point with plenty of energy to spare for your activities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.4 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Archer Lodge, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Archer Lodge, NC
This is one driving day of about 110.9 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Archer Lodge, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 109 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.8 mi into trip|~13m in
Turn left toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Raleigh
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Ral...
8
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7
Toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
8
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
7
101.8 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
7
109 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.34 one way
$34.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.96
$37.92
premium
$4.70
$20.53
$41.05
diesel
$5.61
$24.49
$48.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Nissan Charging Station
Burlington, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Mebane, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 12
Other: 8
Tesla: 2
EVgo: 2
Blink: 2
EV Connect: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.3
0
$11.64
$5.32
Efficient EV
27.7
0
$9.70
$4.44
EV Truck/SUV
44.4
0
$15.53
$7.10
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Archer Lodge, NC
Late night
in Archer Lodge on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
High Point, NC
Late night
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Hillsborough, NC
55 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 76% of your time will be spent on highways like I-85, the Northern Wake Expressway, and US 29. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 42.3 miles along I-85. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a consistent pace. You won't encounter many technical local roads here, as the focus is squarely on getting you from point A to point B via primary infrastructure. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who prefer predictable, high-speed road conditions.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Northern Wake Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 110.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Archer Lodge, NC to High Point, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rdu Airport along the way.
High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 110.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at High Point, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at High Point, NC before heading back.
