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Trip from Clemmons, NC to Gastonia, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

88.4 mi

142 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in North Carolina, United States

Clemmons, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in North Carolina, United States

Gastonia, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 88.4-mile drive from Clemmons, NC to Gastonia, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey designed for efficiency. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 48 minutes on the road, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-40, I-77, and I-85, with 91% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this trip is budget-friendly. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be traveling within familiar territory. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated transit between these two North Carolina cities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.2 miles from Clemmons, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 29.1 mi 31m
I 77 21.9 mi 25m
I 85 10.5 mi 13m
Craig Lawing Freeway 10.3 mi 11m
I 77 South 4.4 mi 5m
I-77 South 4 mi 4m
Clemmons Road 1.4 mi 2m
East Long Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 29.1 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clemmons, NC and Gastonia, NC.

1

Start on US 158

1.4 mi · 2 min · Clemmons Road
Use the straight lane.
2

Turn right onto Harper Road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Harper Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 40 West: Statesville Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 40

29 mi · 31 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 152 Toward I 77 North, I 77 South: Wytheville, Charlotte
6

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 77 South: Charlotte Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 77

16 mi · 19 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21

2.5 mi · 2 min · I-77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 77

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 77

0.4 mi · 26 sec · I-77 South
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 77

1.1 mi · 1 min · I-77 South
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 19B-A Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19B Toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 485

10 mi · 11 min · Craig Lawing Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 9-10 Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 10B Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 85

10 mi · 13 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 19 Toward NC 7: East Gastonia Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto NC 7

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on NC 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Long Avenue
23

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274

0.5 mi · 54 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25

Arrive at destination

US 29; US 74; NC 274

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 48-minute duration, this drive from Clemmons to Gastonia offers great flexibility. You can depart anytime without needing to break it into segments. It's wise to plan your fuel stops strategically, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 29.1 miles on I-40. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good idea on highway-focused trips like this, which has an estimated fuel cost of $14. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, consider a quick break around the halfway point if needed to stretch your legs before reaching Gastonia.

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 44.2 miles from Clemmons, NC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.1 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 19 miles or 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44.2 miles or 52m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gastonia, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clemmons, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clemmons, NC

This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Clemmons, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 29.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Davidson, NC

44 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

Mocksville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Davidson, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.2 miles from Clemmons, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Huntersville, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 39min to go 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17044798888

Visit website

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

Defined Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mooresville, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 1h 2m in / 46min to go 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Huntersville, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17044798888

Visit website

Patisserie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Mooresville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+17047993355

Visit website

Defined Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Mooresville, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17047099050

Visit website

Smithville Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Cornelius, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–8:30 pm

+17048926031

Visit website

Alex Cooper Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Statesville, North Carolina

+17048783429

Visit website

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 1.7 and 74.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 40 West: Statesville

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 40 West: Statesville
8
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 19B-A Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
8
63.2 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19B Toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville
8
74.4 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard

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. Exit 9-10 Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanb...
9
74.8 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10B Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.82 one way

$27.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.12 $30.23
premium $4.70 $16.36 $32.72
diesel $5.61 $19.52 $39.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.5 0 $9.28 $4.24
Efficient EV 22.1 0 $7.74 $3.54
EV Truck/SUV 35.4 0 $12.38 $5.66

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Clemmons, NC

Morning in Clemmons on Tuesday

Local time

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gastonia, NC

Morning in Gastonia on Tuesday

Local time

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

WNW 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City 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

30 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

1h 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 88.4-mile trip. With 91% of the drive on interstates, you'll be covering ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.1 miles on I-40, offering a period of consistent travel. While the route emphasizes speed and directness, the transitions between I-40, I-77, and I-85 will keep the journey from being entirely monotonous. This is a drive built for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, prioritizing forward momentum over scenic detours.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.4 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clemmons, NC and Gastonia, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte, Matthews and Spartanburg.

Charlotte

31 mi in | ~35m

Matthews

62.9 mi in | ~1h 14m

Spartanburg

74.4 mi in | ~1h 27m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 88.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.1 miles on I 40. 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 Gastonia, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

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: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gastonia, NC before heading back.

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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