This 206.1-mile drive from Carolina Shores, NC, to High Point, NC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes. You'll primarily navigate US 220, American Indian Highway, and Andrew Jackson Highway, with about 60% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $32, making it an economical option. This route offers a mixed driving experience across the Southeast region of North Carolina, suitable for those looking for a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stay.
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
103.1 miles from Carolina Shores, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
62.7 mi
1h 11m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Andrew Jackson Highway
29.5 mi
33m
I 74
15.4 mi
17m
Highway 9 East
13.9 mi
19m
G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
Peacock Road
9.9 mi
13m
US 701
6.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-73
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~662 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,067
Quietest
2 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
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 Carolina Shores, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Carolina Shores Parkway
0.2 mi·58 sec·Carolina Shores Parkway
2
Turn right onto SR 1168
0.6 mi·1 min·Country Club Drive
3
Turn left onto US 17
0.9 mi·1 min·Ocean Highway West
4
Continue on US 17
4.4 mi·7 min·US Highway 17
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
6
Merge onto SC 9
14 mi·19 min·Highway 9 East
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn straight onto SC 9
6.3 mi·7 min·SC 9
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
460 ft·11 sec
10
Turn straight onto US 701
3.3 mi·4 min·US Highway 701 North
11
Keep slight right at fork
444 ft·6 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 701
6.4 mi·8 min·US 701
13
Turn left onto Peacock Road
9.9 mi·13 min·Peacock Road
14
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Chadbourn Highway
15
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.9 mi·1 min·East Strawberry Boulevard
16
Turn right onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Brown Street
17
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
2.0 mi·3 min·Joe Brown Highway North
18
Take the ramp onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
19
Merge onto US 74; NC 130
9.3 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
20
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
21
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
11 mi·11 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 311Toward US 1: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
15 mi·17 min·I 74
Exit 80Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-SalemUse the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Green Drive East
30
Turn left onto Triangle Lake Road
168 ft·3 sec·Triangle Lake Road
31
Continue on East Green Drive
1.7 mi·3 min·East Green Drive
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·South Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 11-minute duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day. To make the most of your drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the 206.1 miles and any brief stops you might need. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 62.7 miles on US 220, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before entering this longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, this route is budget-friendly, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during that longer stretch on US 220.
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 103.1 miles from Carolina Shores, NC, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 45 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.1 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Carolina Shores, 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 Carolina Shores, NC
This is one driving day of about 206.1 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Carolina Shores, 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 220 for about 62.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 188.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 31, Loris, Myrtle Beach
6
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
124.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
130.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
9
188.5 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 80
Toward I 74 West: High Point, Winston-Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.43 one way
$60.86 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.44
$66.88
premium
$4.49
$36.45
$72.90
diesel
$4.80
$38.92
$77.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
Efficient EV
51.5
0
$18.03
$8.24
EV Truck/SUV
82.4
1
$28.85
$13.19
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Carolina Shores, NC
Late night
in Carolina Shores on Monday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 to 13 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:49PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
High Point, NC
Late night
in High Point on Monday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:49PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
8 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
4h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a blend of highway speeds and more local road navigation. With 60% of the route on highways, you'll experience stretches of faster travel, contrasted with segments on American Indian Highway and Andrew Jackson Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 62.7 miles on US 220, offering a good period of consistent driving. This mixed profile means you can expect the road conditions and pace to change as you progress, keeping the journey engaging without becoming overly demanding.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on US 220.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 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 20 significant decision points across 206.1 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 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
922 ft40 ft
Total Climb
1,014 ft
Total Descent
137 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
~206.1 mi in
Elevation Range
882 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 Carolina Shores, 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.
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 11m. Total distance: 206.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on US 220. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at High Point, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
