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Trip from Gastonia, NC to High Point, 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 53m

Distance

94.9 mi

153 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Gastonia, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 94.9-mile drive from Gastonia, NC to High Point, NC is a straightforward day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US 29 and the Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway, with a significant portion on the Cameron Morrison Bridge. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, this is an economical option for a single-day excursion. As both locations are within the Southeast region of North Carolina, you won't be crossing state or major regional lines. Given its relatively short duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

47.5 miles from Gastonia, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Cameron Morrison Bridge 59.4 mi 1h 8m
US 29 19 mi 22m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway 8.2 mi 10m
I 285 4.1 mi 4m
South Main Street 1.8 mi 3m
East Long Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
West Franklin Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
East Ozark Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Cameron Morrison Bridge — 59.4 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 29; US 74; NC 274

0.5 mi · 56 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
2

Turn left onto South Broad Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South Broad Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto NC 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Long Avenue
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on NC 7

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Ozark Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 85 North
6

Merge onto I 85

8.2 mi · 10 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on I 85

59 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 29; US 70
Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
10

Continue on US 29; US 64; US 70

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 29; US 64; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70

16 mi · 17 min · US 29; US 70
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward South Main Street, Archdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn left onto South Main Street

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 94.9-mile trip, leaving in the morning or late afternoon can help you avoid peak local traffic. Since the total drive time is under two hours, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but consider a quick break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch is over 59 miles, and the estimated fuel cost is $15. A key tip for this route is to be prepared for frequent turns, especially as you transition from highway segments to local roads; having your GPS ready will be beneficial.

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 47.5 miles from Gastonia, NC, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 21 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.5 miles or 57m 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 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 Gastonia, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Gastonia, NC

This is one driving day of about 94.9 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Gastonia, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 59.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Concord, NC

47 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.

Popular next leg

Concord, NC to High Point, NC

57.2 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Concord, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.5 miles from Gastonia, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 92.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | NC 7 / East Long Avenue

Turn right onto NC 7 / East Long Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
69.8 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70

Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
6
73.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | US 29; US 70

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
8
77.4 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | US 29; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point

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 Business North, US 29 North, US 70...
7
92.9 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward South Main Street, Archdale

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. Toward South Main Street, Archdale

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.84 one way

$29.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $16.23 $32.45
premium $4.70 $17.56 $35.13
diesel $5.61 $20.95 $41.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.5 0 $9.96 $4.56
Efficient EV 23.7 0 $8.30 $3.80
EV Truck/SUV 38 0 $13.29 $6.07

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Gastonia, NC

Late night in Gastonia on Tuesday

Local time

5:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

High Point, NC

Late night in High Point on Tuesday

Local time

5:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Clear

SW 5 to 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

78°F

Concord, NC

47 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

20 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

1h 53m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 24% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.4 miles on the Cameron Morrison Bridge, offering a brief period of more consistent travel. The character of the drive shifts, transitioning between local roads and higher-speed highway segments as you make your way across North Carolina. This blend means you'll be navigating various traffic patterns and speed limits throughout the 1 hour and 53 minute trip.

Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on Cameron Morrison Bridge.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 0.7 miles in near NC 7 / East Long Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (NC 7 / East Long Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.8 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.9 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Gastonia, NC to High Point, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Winston-Salem along the way.

Winston-Salem

69.8 mi in | ~1h 23m | via I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70

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 1h 53m. Total distance: 94.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge. 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 High Point, 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 0.7 miles (NC 7 / East Long Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.8 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.9 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at High Point, 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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