Spanning 304.5 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Forest City to Jacksonville typically requires about 6 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on a full day behind the wheel if you intend to complete it in a single stretch. Budgeting approximately $49 for fuel will cover your transit across the state as you move through the Southeast. While the journey is feasible in one day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a demanding drive that requires your full attention. It serves as a practical connection between these two points, though you should be prepared for a slower pace than you might encounter on a major interstate.
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
152.2 miles from Forest City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
75.1 mi
1h 28m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Jacksonville Highway
30.6 mi
43m
Monroe Expressway
18.7 mi
21m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 75.1 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,222 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~638 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Forest City, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft·3 sec·Cherry Mountain Street
2
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi·53 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 221A
1.4 mi·3 min·South Broadway Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
5
Merge onto US 74
12 mi·13 min·Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
8
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi·7 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 85
8.5 mi·10 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft·11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America StadiumUse the left / right lanes.
15
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi·21 sec·Brookshire Boulevard
16
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi·5 min·Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 2BToward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi·4 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft·4 sec·East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
20
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi·2 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·3 min·East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Exit 255Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, WilmingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi·27 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·West Marshville Boulevard
26
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
27
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·9 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
30
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi·4 min·West Caswell Street
31
Continue on US 74
10 mi·13 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
33
Continue on US 74
15 mi·16 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi·11 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
37
Continue on US 74; NC 130
42 mi·48 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit onto NC 11
2.2 mi·2 min·General Howe Road
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on NC 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·General Howell Road
40
Continue on NC 11
7.9 mi·10 min·Gen Howe Road
41
Turn right onto NC 210
8.7 mi·13 min·NC 210
42
Continue on Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi·11 min·Malpass Corner Road
43
At end of road, turn right onto NC 53
3.2 mi·5 min·NC 53
44
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Walker Street
45
Turn right onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi·25 sec·East Bridges Street
46
Turn straight onto NC 53
31 mi·43 min·Jacksonville Highway
47
Continue on this road
433 ft·8 sec·this road
48
Turn slight right onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
49
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·South Marine Boulevard
50
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 27 minute duration, you should aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach Jacksonville before nightfall. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the drive. Since highway driving is limited to 18% of your trip, anticipate lower average speeds and adjust your travel expectations accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $49 estimate can fluctuate depending on local pricing along these specific highways. Using the 75.1-mile stretch on the Andrew Jackson Highway as a natural midpoint marker can help you effectively pace your travel day.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.2 miles from Forest City, NC, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.1 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 67 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.2 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Forest City, 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 Forest City, NC
This is one driving day of about 304.5 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Forest City, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 75.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 78.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
34.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
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 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Ch...
9
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brooksh...
8
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Bou...
9
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilm...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.96 one way
$89.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$49.40
$98.81
premium
$4.49
$53.85
$107.70
diesel
$4.80
$57.50
$114.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.97
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.63
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Forest City, NC
Late night
in Forest City on Sunday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
E 3 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:48PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:45PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Jacksonville, NC
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 9 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:48PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:45PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
90°F
Monroe, NC
152 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 27m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 262.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a shift away from standard interstate travel, as this route consists of only 18% highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads, specifically the Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Jacksonville Highway. The road's personality is defined by its turns rather than high-speed cruising, requiring you to stay alert through the various transitions. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Andrew Jackson Highway, covering 75.1 miles of the total distance. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, the character of the road changes frequently, keeping the experience varied rather than monotonous.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.1 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 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 24 significant decision points across 304.5 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,014 ft14 ft
Total Climb
76 ft
Total Descent
1,077 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
Elevation Range
1,000 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forest City, NC and Jacksonville, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium and Wilmington.
Spartanburg
34.6 mi in|~46m
Charlotte
34.7 mi in|~46m
Bank Of America Stadium
61.8 mi in|~1h 18m
Wilmington
78.6 mi in|~1h 42m|via US 74 BYP
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Jacksonville is the county seat of Onslow County, North Carolina. The home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Jacksonville is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region, approximately a one hour away from the "Port City" Wilmington.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 304.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.1 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Jacksonville, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jacksonville, NC before the return drive.
