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Trip from Gastonia, NC to Kernersville, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

104.8 mi

169 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m

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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city in North Carolina, United States

Gastonia, NC

Wikimedia Commons

town in North Carolina, United States of America

Kernersville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 104.8-mile journey from Gastonia, NC to Kernersville, NC is a straightforward, single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, it's an economical option for a quick hop within North Carolina. The route primarily utilizes local roads like South Broad Street, East Long Avenue, and East Ozark Avenue, offering a more connected feel to the communities you pass through. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stay. This drive stays within the Southeast region, providing a consistent regional experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.4 miles from Gastonia, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Cameron Morrison Bridge 59.4 mi 1h 8m
I 285 25.4 mi 29m
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway 8.2 mi 10m
Salem Parkway 7.8 mi 9m
South Cherry Street 0.8 mi 1m
East Long Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
West Franklin Boulevard 0.5 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 Kernersville, 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 left at fork onto I 285; US 52

21 mi · 24 min · I 285; US 52
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Winston-Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 109A Toward US 158 East, US 421 South: Salem Parkway, Kernersville Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto US 421; US 158; NC 150

1.9 mi · 2 min · Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421; NC 150

5.9 mi · 6 min · Salem Parkway
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 224 Toward Kernersville, South Main Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

144 ft · 5 sec
15

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Turn left onto South Cherry Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Cherry Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto West Mountain Street

338 ft · 5 sec · West Mountain Street
18

Arrive at destination

West Mountain Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour, 104.8-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Gastonia to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic in the towns you'll pass through. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is relatively short, you can be flexible with when and if you choose to take breaks. The estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying attention to upcoming turns will be key to staying on track efficiently.

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 52.4 miles from Gastonia, NC, or about 1h 3m 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 23 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.4 miles or 1h 3m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kernersville, 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 104.8 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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

52 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 Kernersville, NC

67.1 mi · 1h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Concord, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.4 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.5

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 104.8

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Salisbury, North Carolina

1.2 mi

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.3 mi

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 104.8

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Koco Java coffee llc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 59.9

Salisbury, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+19802480633

Visit website

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17049102249

Visit website

French Express Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17049325282

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 44.9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House University

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.9

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19802072888

Visit website

Bell Tower Green

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.9

Salisbury, North Carolina

+17046370511

Visit website

The Speedpark at Concord Mills

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 29.9

Concord, North Carolina

+17045278464

Visit website

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 29.9

Concord, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+17044561955

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 89.8

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 44.9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

NASCAR Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 22.5

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17046544400

Visit website

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 44.9

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+17049342320

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 103.2 — 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...
8
73.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | I 285; US 52

Keep slight left at fork onto I 285; US 52 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: 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: Winston-Salem
8
95.3 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward US 158 East, US 421 South: Salem Parkway, Kernersville

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 109A Toward US 158 East, US 421 South: Salem Parkway...
8
103.2 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward Kernersville, South Main Street

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 224 Toward Kernersville, South Main Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.39 one way

$32.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.92 $35.84
premium $4.70 $19.40 $38.79
diesel $5.61 $23.14 $46.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.4 0 $11.00 $5.03
Efficient EV 26.2 0 $9.17 $4.19
EV Truck/SUV 41.9 0 $14.67 $6.71

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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

Gastonia, NC

Morning in Gastonia on Sunday

Local time

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kernersville, NC

Morning in Kernersville on Sunday

Local time

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Concord, NC

52 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

14 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

2h 5m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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' for this 104.8-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through towns and cities, with numerous turns shaping the journey rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not applicable here, emphasizing the frequent changes in direction. This driving profile means you'll be more engaged with the local landscape and traffic patterns, making it feel more like a direct, community-connected transit rather than a high-speed bypass. Prepare for a pace dictated by local road conditions and intersections.

32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 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?

9/10

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 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 104.8 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 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 (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Kernersville, 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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 104.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface 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 Kernersville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 (I 285; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kernersville, 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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Return Trip

Kernersville, NC to Gastonia, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

104.6 mi 2h 5m

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