Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Gastonia, NC to Hope Mills, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
153.2 mi
247 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gastonia, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Hope Mills, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gastonia, NC to Hope Mills, NC is 153.2 miles and takes about 3h 23m via Andrew Jackson Highway and Monroe Expressway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the western part of the state toward the southeast. Expect a mix of driving conditions, as the route incorporates both highway and surface roads. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a manageable trip for anyone looking to cover ground without an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost of $25 makes it an economical option for a solo trip or a shared ride.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.6 miles from Gastonia, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 31.2 mi | 37m |
| NC 71 | 22.9 mi | 34m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.9 mi | 16m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| East Independence Expressway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 31.2 mi, about 37m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Gastonia, NC and Hope Mills, 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
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 36
Toward NC 16: Brookshire Boulevard, Downtown Charlotte
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
386 ft
·
11 sec
Toward NC 16 South: Downtown Charlotte, Brookshire Boulevard, Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NC 16
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brookshire Boulevard
11
Continue on NC 16
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Brookshire Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 74 East, NC 27 East: Independence Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto US 74; NC 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
357 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
Toward US 74 East
15
Continue on US 74
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Exit 255
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham, Wilmington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 74
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
21
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
22
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
24
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
25
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
26
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Toward US 74 East: Lumberton
28
Continue on US 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 74
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 74
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
American Indian Highway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NC 71: Maxton, Red Springs
33
Turn left onto NC 71
11 mi
·
16 min
·
NC 71
34
Turn left onto NC 71; NC 211
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
North Main Street
35
Turn right onto NC 71
12 mi
·
17 min
·
NC 71
36
Turn left onto NC 71
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Fayetteville Street
37
Enter roundabout onto Leeper Road
192 ft
·
2 sec
·
Leeper Road
38
Continue on Leeper Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Leeper Road
39
Enter roundabout onto Leeper Road
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Leeper Road
40
Continue on Leeper Road
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Leeper Road
41
Enter roundabout onto Leeper Road
97 ft
·
2 sec
·
Leeper Road
42
Continue on Leeper Road
341 ft
·
5 sec
·
Leeper Road
43
Continue on Parkton Road
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Parkton Road
44
At end of road, turn left onto SR1596
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Arrive at destination
SR1596
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 23m estimated drive time, leaving Gastonia in the morning should allow you to reach Hope Mills with plenty of daylight to spare. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed. Plan for one main stop to break up the 153.2 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where you might need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you hit longer stretches like the 31.2 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or the next available station.
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 76.6 miles from Gastonia, NC, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hope Mills, 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.
+
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 Gastonia, NC
This is one driving day of about 153.2 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Gastonia, 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 31.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.6 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 35.9 — 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
18.9 mi into trip
|
~24m 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
19.1 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
23.1 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
35.9 mi into trip
|
~48m 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
$24.37 one way
$48.73 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $26.57 | $53.14 |
| premium | $4.78 | $28.82 | $57.65 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $32.27 | $64.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $7.35 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.41 | $6.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.45 | $9.80 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Gastonia, NC
Evening in Gastonia on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 1 mph
73% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 8:21PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 24 at 8:09PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Hope Mills, NC
Evening in Hope Mills on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
32% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 8:21PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 24 at 8:09PM EDT until May 25 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
3 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
3h 23m 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?
About 43% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll experience some faster cruising before transitioning to surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 31.2 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. You'll notice the change from highway driving to surface streets as you move through different sections of North Carolina. Be prepared for a mixed driving experience with both higher-speed sections and more local road navigation.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.2 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
10/10
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 153.2 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 0.7 miles (NC 7 / East Long Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
803 ft
112 ft
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
928 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
Elevation Range
691 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gastonia, NC and Hope Mills, NC, road signs point toward Charlotte, Bank Of America Stadium, Wilmington and Red Springs.
Charlotte
18.9 mi in
|
~24m
Bank Of America Stadium
19.1 mi in
|
~25m
Wilmington
35.9 mi in
|
~48m
|
via US 74 BYP
Red Springs
122.5 mi in
|
~2h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in Gastonia, NC
Full guide →Gastonia is a small city in the Piedmont of North Carolina, about 20 mi (32 km) west of the major United States city of Charlotte. In 2016, Gastonia had a population of 75,535, making it the third largest city of the Charlotte Metro. Gastonia is the principal city and county seat of Gaston County, a large county comprising of several small towns. The population of Gaston County was 213,445 in 2015.
Top landmarks
- • Gaston County Courthouse — county courthouse in Gastonia, United States of America
- • Downtown Gastonia Historic District — historic district in Gastonia, North Carolina
Arriving in Hope Mills, NC
Full guide →Founded 1766
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 3h 23m. Total distance: 153.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.2 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Hope Mills, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (NC 7 / East Long Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Hope Mills, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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