Origin
Cherokee, NC
Late night in Cherokee on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cherokee, NC to High Point, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
209.7 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cherokee, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
This 209.7-mile drive from Cherokee, NC, to High Point, NC, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 74 and I-74, with a small portion on Wolfetown Road, making it a highway-focused experience with 87% of the journey on high-speed roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this is an efficient trip that can easily be completed without an overnight stay. The route traverses the Southeast region of North Carolina, offering a straightforward path between these two points.
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
104.8 miles from Cherokee, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 74 | 168.4 mi | 3h 14m |
| I 74 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Wolfetown Road | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| Soco Road | 8.8 mi | 14m |
| North Main Street | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Dellwood Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Great Smoky Mountains Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Paint Town Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 74
— 168.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherokee, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Johnson Arch Road
149 ft
·
11 sec
·
Johnson Arch Road
2
Turn left onto US 19; US 441 Business
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ
3
Continue on US 19
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Paint Town Road;ᎠᏂᏬᏗ ᎦᏅᏅ
4
Continue on US 19
8.8 mi
·
15 min
·
Wolfetown Road;ᏩᏲᎯ ᏫᎦᏅᏅ
5
Continue on US 19
8.8 mi
·
14 min
·
Soco Road
6
Continue on US 19; US 276
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Dellwood Road
7
Take the ramp onto US 19
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 19
8
Merge onto US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck
168 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto I 74
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
I 74
Exit 196
Toward I 74 East: High Point
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on North Main Street
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 20-minute duration, starting your journey in Cherokee, NC, in the morning will allow you to reach High Point, NC, with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without a major break is 168.4 miles on US 74, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before embarking on this segment. With a total distance of 209.7 miles, you'll likely only need one planned stop for gas and a stretch. Keep an eye out for potential construction zones, especially as you transition between US 74 and I-74.
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 104.8 miles from Cherokee, NC, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.4 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 46 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 32m
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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, NC
This is one driving day of about 209.7 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Cherokee, 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 74 for about 168.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.8 miles from Cherokee, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.4 miles.
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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 205.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 19; US 441 Business / Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ
Turn left onto US 19; US 441 Business / Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ
Navigation decision point
3
23.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck / Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
Merge onto US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck / Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
27.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 74; US 64 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74; US 64 Truck toward I 40 East: Asheville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 40 East: Asheville
7
195.5 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
I 74
Take the exit onto I 74 toward I 74 East: High Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 196
Toward I 74 East: High Point
3
205.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.79 one way
$65.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.86 | $71.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.81 | $77.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.30 | $92.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.02 | $10.07 |
| Efficient EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.35 | $8.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.36 | $13.42 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
High Point, NC
Late night in High Point on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 8 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
9 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
4h 20m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route utilizing major roads like US 74 and I-74. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 168.4 miles on US 74, allowing for steady progress. While largely a highway experience, the inclusion of Wolfetown Road offers a slight variation. This drive prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than focusing on winding scenic byways.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.4 mi on US 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 74 and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 19; US 441 Business / Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 19; US 441 Business / Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck / Great Smoky Mountains Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 27.2 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in High Point, NC
Full guide →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...
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 209.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.4 miles on US 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 19; US 441 Business / Tsalagi Road;ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏅᏅ): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 19; US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck / Great Smoky Mountains Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 27.2 miles (US 74; US 64 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at High Point, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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