Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
20m
Distance
14.8 mi
24 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Black Mountain, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Highland Gate, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Black Mountain, NC to Highland Gate, NC is 14.8 miles and takes about 20m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $2 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short hop stays within the Southeast region and North Carolina, making it a straightforward drive. Given its brief length, this route is ideal for a quick transfer or a segment of a larger journey. It's mostly highway, so expect efficiency rather than leisurely sightseeing. Plan for a simple, quick trip with minimal planning needed.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| Billy Graham Freeway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Chunns Cove Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Old Chunns Cove Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Montreat Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Black Mountain, NC and Highland Gate, NC.
Start on this road
Turn right onto NC 9
Continue on NC 9
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 240
Take the exit
Turn right onto Chunns Cove Road
Turn left onto Old Chunns Cove Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Old Chunns Cove Road
Turn right
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto NC 9 / Montreat Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 240 / Billy Graham Freeway toward I 240, US 74A: West Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Chunns Cove Road, Tunnel Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto Old Chunns Cove Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.35 one way
$4.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $2.57 | $5.13 |
| premium | $4.78 | $2.78 | $5.57 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.12 | $6.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.95 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Black Mountain on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Highland Gate on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey on major roads like I 40 and Billy Graham Freeway. You'll experience a nearly continuous stretch of 10.3 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions to Broadway Street as you approach Highland Gate, marking a shift from high-speed travel to a more local road feel. Expect a driving experience dominated by efficient interstate travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Billy Graham Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NC 9 / Montreat Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 14.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NC 9 / Montreat Road): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (I 240 / Billy Graham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
314 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
2,400 ft
Elevation Range
351 ft
For Black Mountain in Canberra, see Canberra/Acton Black Mountain is a town in North Carolina.
Top landmarks
Founded 1574
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 14.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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