This straightforward 40.9-mile drive from Bladenboro, NC to Rowan, NC takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on NC 87 and NC 242, with a short stint on NC 53. With 89% of the drive on highways, expect a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $6, which is quite budget-friendly for a journey of this length. Since it's a relatively short trip within the Southeast region, there's no need to split it over multiple days; you can easily complete it in one go. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two North Carolina locations.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 87
17.2 mi
22m
NC 242
10.3 mi
14m
NC 53
5 mi
6m
NC 210
3.9 mi
6m
Elwell Ferry Road
3.8 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Elwell Ferry
<0.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NC 87
— 17.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bladenboro, NC and Rowan, NC.
1
Start on this road
101 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NC 131; NC 242; NC 410
0.1 mi·32 sec·Main Street
3
Turn slight right
399 ft·7 sec
4
Turn straight onto NC 242
10 mi·14 min·NC 242
5
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
0.3 mi·44 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
6
Turn right onto NC 87
17 mi·22 min·NC 87
7
Turn left onto SR 1730
2.7 mi·6 min·Elwell Ferry Road
8
Continue on Elwell Ferry
416 ft·1 min·Elwell Ferry
9
Continue on Elwell Ferry Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Elwell Ferry Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto NC 53
5.0 mi·6 min·NC 53
11
Turn left onto NC 210
3.9 mi·6 min·NC 210
12
Arrive at destination
NC 210
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Bladenboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 37 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NC 131; NC 242; NC 410 / Main Street
Turn right onto NC 131; NC 242; NC 410 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
10.5 mi into trip|~15m in|Martin Luther King Drive
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
Navigation decision point
3
10.8 mi into trip|~15m in|NC 87
Turn right onto NC 87
Navigation decision point
5
32 mi into trip|~49m in|NC 53
At end of road, turn right onto NC 53
Navigation decision point
3
37 mi into trip|~56m in|NC 210
Turn left onto NC 210
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.51 one way
$13.01 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$7.09
$14.19
premium
$4.78
$7.70
$15.39
diesel
$5.35
$8.61
$17.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.3
0
$4.29
$1.96
Efficient EV
10.2
0
$3.58
$1.64
EV Truck/SUV
16.4
0
$5.73
$2.62
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Bladenboro, NC
Afternoon
in Bladenboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
N 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 7:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Rowan, NC
Afternoon
in Rowan on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
N 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 7:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 4:03AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 3m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the 40.9 miles utilizing these faster roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.2 miles on NC 87, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the primary roads are highways, the shift between NC 87, NC 242, and NC 53 may introduce slight variations in road type and speed. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than focusing on winding backroads or extensive scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.2 mi on NC 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 87 and NC 242. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NC 131; NC 242; NC 410 / Main Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bladenboro, NC to Rowan, NC is easy. At 1h 3m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NC 131; NC 242; NC 410 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (Martin Luther King Drive): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (NC 87): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
131 ft26 ft
Total Climb
62 ft
Total Descent
115 ft
Highest Point
131 ft
~5.8 mi in
Elevation Range
106 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The longest stretch is about 17.2 miles on NC 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NC 131; NC 242; NC 410 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (Martin Luther King Drive): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (NC 87): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rowan, NC before heading back.
