Belmont, NC to Jacksonville, NC is 253.3 miles and takes about 5h 23m via Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Jacksonville Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward journey.
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
126.7 miles from Belmont, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
73.3 mi
1h 26m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Jacksonville Highway
30.6 mi
43m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
NC 210
8.7 mi
13m
Cameron Morrison Bridge
8.5 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 26m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~656 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 74 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 Belmont, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on this road
121 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Glenway Street
355 ft·19 sec·Glenway Street
3
Turn right onto NC 7
0.3 mi·39 sec·Catawba Street
4
Turn left onto NC 273
0.9 mi·1 min·Park Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 85 NorthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 85
0.4 mi·27 sec·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
7
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
11
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
15
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
21
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
22
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
24
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
25
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
26
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
28
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
32
Continue on US 74; NC 130
42 mi·48 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit onto NC 11
2.2 mi·2 min·General Howe Road
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on NC 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·General Howell Road
35
Continue on NC 11
7.9 mi·10 min·Gen Howe Road
36
Turn right onto NC 210
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 210
37
Continue on Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi·11 min·Malpass Corner Road
38
At end of road, turn right onto NC 53
3.2 mi·5 min·NC 53
39
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Walker Street
40
Turn right onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi·25 sec·East Bridges Street
41
Turn straight onto NC 53
31 mi·43 min·Jacksonville Highway
42
Continue on this road
433 ft·8 sec·this road
43
Turn slight right onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
44
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·South Marine Boulevard
45
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive from Belmont in the morning to take advantage of the 5h 23m estimated duration and complete the 253.3 miles before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $39, this is a manageable one-day trip. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 73.3-mile longest stretch on Andrew Jackson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move to surface roads where stations might be less frequent than on interstates.
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 126.7 miles from Belmont, NC, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 56 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 39m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belmont, 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 Belmont, NC
This is one driving day of about 253.3 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Belmont, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 73.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.4 and 103.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.4 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
14.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
27.5 mi into trip|~38m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
6
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.81 one way
$77.63 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$42.59
$85.18
premium
$4.64
$46.24
$92.48
diesel
$5.60
$55.84
$111.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.60
$12.16
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.16
$10.13
EV Truck/SUV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Belmont, NC
Evening
in Belmont on Friday
Local time
7:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NNW 2 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 31 at 6:52AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Jacksonville, NC
Evening
in Jacksonville on Friday
Local time
7:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 1 to 6 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 31 at 6:52AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
72°F
Aberdeen, NC
127 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 23m 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.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 209.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway share of 22%, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 73.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. You'll notice the transition from highway driving to surface roads as you progress, with the latter likely involving more local traffic and intersections. Expect a more relaxed pace as you navigate through communities.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.3 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.4 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 21 significant decision points across 253.3 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 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
692 ft14 ft
Total Climb
82 ft
Total Descent
749 ft
Highest Point
692 ft
~19.1 mi in
Elevation Range
678 ft
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 Belmont, NC to Jacksonville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Jacksonville is the county seat of Onslow County, North Carolina. The home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Jacksonville is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region, approximately a one hour away from the "Port City" Wilmington.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 253.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.3 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Jacksonville, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jacksonville, NC before the return drive.
