This 247.6-mile journey from Beaufort, NC to High Point, NC is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, it offers a budget-friendly excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile and a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and communities for the majority of the trip. Given its manageable duration and local road focus, this drive is best suited for a single-day adventure rather than requiring an overnight stay. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region throughout your entire trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123.1 miles from Beaufort, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
97.4 mi
2h 5m
I 40
89.8 mi
1h 44m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
US 29
12.5 mi
13m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi
11m
West New Bern Road
2.1 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,646 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~369 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Ann Street
298 ft·12 sec·Ann Street
2
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Turner Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70
74 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
8
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
12
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 247.6-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Beaufort to avoid any potential local traffic build-up. Since this is a turn-heavy, local road route, planning for one stop around the halfway point is advisable for a quick stretch or to refuel. The estimated 4 hours and 10 minutes of driving time, combined with the local road nature, means you'll want to stay alert and follow your navigation closely. With a fuel cost of about $40, ensure your tank is full before leaving Beaufort to maximize your time on the road and minimize unnecessary detours for gas.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 123.1 miles from Beaufort, NC, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.1 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC
This is one driving day of about 246.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Beaufort, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 70 for about 97.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 244.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Turner Street
Turn right onto Turner Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
231.8 mi into trip|~4h 41m 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
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
244.3 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
$36.35 one way
$72.70 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.94
$79.89
premium
$4.49
$43.54
$87.08
diesel
$4.80
$46.49
$92.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.54
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Beaufort, NC
Morning
in Beaufort on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 9 to 18 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
High Point, NC
Morning
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
4 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
National Seashore
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very local driving experience on this route, with no highway segments to speak of. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent intersections and a need for constant attention to navigation. You'll be covering ground primarily via Turner Street, West New Bern Road, and West Vernon Avenue, which are likely to take you through various towns and residential areas. Without any significant highway stretches, the pace will be dictated by local traffic and speed limits, making for a more engaging and less monotonous drive than a typical interstate trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the lack of highway suggests a continuous series of local road segments.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Turner Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 246.2 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.8 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Beaufort is the easternmost town in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina; the county seat; and the third-oldest town in the state. Established in 1713 on the Newport River, Beaufort was named after Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. Beaufort's two main claims to fame are its intact historical homes and its connection with the dreaded pirate Blackbeard. The town's name is pronounced differently than that of its South Carolina namesake; this Beaufort is "BO-furt" (IPA ['bou.frt]).
Top landmarks
•Beaufort Historic District — historic district in North Carolina, United States
•Jacob Henry House — building in Beaufort, North Carolina, United States
•Old Burying Ground — cemetery in Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
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.
Top landmarks
•Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
•Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 246.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on US 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.8 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cape Lookout National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at High Point, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
