Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
44m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethtown, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Rowan, NC
Lisa from Pexels
This 30.7-mile drive from Elizabethtown, NC to Rowan, NC, is a quick trip that can easily be completed in about 44 minutes, making it perfect for a single day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, it's a budget-friendly option for a short journey. The route primarily utilizes NC 53 and NC 210, offering a straightforward travel experience. As both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region of North Carolina, you won't encounter significant regional shifts. This short distance means you have plenty of flexibility for when you want to depart and how you manage your time on the road.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NC 53 | 21.4 mi | 29m |
| North Poplar Street | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| NC 210 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, NC and Rowan, NC.
Start on US 701; NC 41
Turn right onto NC 53
Turn left onto NC 210
Arrive at destination
2 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 26.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto NC 53
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto NC 210
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$4.88 one way
$9.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $5.32 | $10.65 |
| premium | $4.78 | $5.78 | $11.55 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $6.47 | $12.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Elizabethtown on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Rowan on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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 drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 83% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll encounter stretches like the longest uninterrupted segment of 21.4 miles on NC 53, which should provide a consistent pace. The route involves NC 53, North Poplar Street, and NC 210, suggesting a mix of main highway travel and potentially some more local arterial roads as you approach your destination. Expect a drive characterized by efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 53 and North Poplar Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near NC 53.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Elizabethtown, NC to Rowan, NC is easy. At 44m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (NC 53): Navigation decision point; at 26.7 miles (NC 210): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
34 ft
Total Descent
94 ft
Highest Point
109 ft
Elevation Range
87 ft
Elizabethtown is the seat of Bladen County on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. It's a good place for the nature-lover or outdoor enthusiast.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 30.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Explore more options from Elizabethtown, NC or browse trips ending in Rowan, NC.
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