Bessemer City to High Point is 101.4 miles and takes about 2h 1m via Cameron Morrison Bridge and US 29, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive with numerous turns, characteristic of local routes rather than a straightforward interstate journey. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to connect these two North Carolina cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Bessemer City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Bessemer City, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on North 12th Street
41 ft·8 sec·North 12th Street
2
Turn left onto NC 274
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Virginia Avenue
3
Turn right onto South 8th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South 8th Street
4
Turn left onto 1307
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Alabama Avenue
5
Continue on 1307
0.3 mi·27 sec·Athenia Place
6
Continue on 1307
1.1 mi·1 min·Edgewood Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 85 North: Charlotte
8
Merge onto I 85
14 mi·17 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 85
59 mi·1 hr 8 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.1 mi·4 min·I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·US 29; US 70
Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
12
Continue on US 29; US 64; US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 29; US 64; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70
16 mi·17 min·US 29; US 70
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward South Main Street, ArchdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.8 mi·3 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this is an easy one-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility for when you depart. You won't need to rush, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early commuter traffic. While there are no designated stops listed, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the 59.4-mile stretch on the Cameron Morrison Bridge, as services might be less frequent there. Plan to refuel in Bessemer City before you depart or upon arrival in High Point to manage your $16 fuel budget effectively.
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 50.7 miles from Bessemer City, NC, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 39m
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 Bessemer City, 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 Bessemer City, NC
This is one driving day of about 101.4 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Bessemer City, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 59.4 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 76.3 and 99.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
6
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|US 29; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
8
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 29; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70...
7
99.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Archdale
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, Archdale
6
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.86 one way
$31.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.34
$34.68
premium
$4.70
$18.77
$37.53
diesel
$5.61
$22.39
$44.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.87
$4.06
EV Truck/SUV
40.6
0
$14.20
$6.49
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Bessemer City, NC
Morning
in Bessemer City on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
High Point, NC
Morning
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Concord, NC
51 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 1m 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?
This route leans heavily towards a turn-heavy local drive, with only 23% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a varied road personality, transitioning between different road types as you progress. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road designation is 59.4 miles on the Cameron Morrison Bridge. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction, making it less of a monotonous cruise and more of an engaged driving experience.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on Cameron Morrison Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 76.3 miles in near I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70.
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 101.4 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 76.3 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.8 miles (US 29; US 70): 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 Bessemer City, NC to High Point, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Winston-Salem 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 1m. Total distance: 101.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge. 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 76.3 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.8 miles (US 29; US 70): 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.
