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Trip from Greensboro, NC to Andrews, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 19m

Distance

265.3 mi

427 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 6m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m

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

Downtown Andrews, NC, NC

Andrews, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Greensboro to Andrews is 265.3 miles and takes about 5h 19m via I 40 and US 74, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. It's a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll find it a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from Greensboro to the western part of the state. Consider this route for its directness and manageable duration.

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

132.6 miles from Greensboro, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 189.8 mi 3h 39m
US 74 22 mi 29m
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 21.9 mi 26m
US 19 16.8 mi 22m
Appalachian Highway 5.3 mi 6m
West Highway 19 4 mi 4m
Freeman Mill Road 2.5 mi 3m
Business 19 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 189.8 mi, about 3h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greensboro, NC and Andrews, NC.

1

Start on West Market Street

130 ft · 9 sec · West Market Street
2

Turn right onto South Greene Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Greene Street
Use the right lane.
3

Enter roundabout onto West McGee Street

17 ft · 0 sec · West McGee Street
4

Continue on West McGee Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · West McGee Street
5

Turn left onto Freeman Mill Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Freeman Mill Road
Use the right lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto Freeman Mill Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Freeman Mill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 40 West Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 40

11 mi · 13 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

153 mi · 2 hr 54 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

25 mi · 31 min · I 40
11

Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck

22 mi · 29 min · US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck

22 mi · 26 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
13

Continue on US 19; US 74

5.3 mi · 6 min · Appalachian Highway
14

Continue on US 19; US 74

4.0 mi · 4 min · West Highway 19
15

Turn right onto US 19; US 74

17 mi · 22 min · US 19; US 74
16

Take the exit onto US 19 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · Business 19
Toward Andrews
17

Continue on US 19 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
18

Turn right onto Cherry Street

72 ft · 3 sec · Cherry Street
19

Arrive at destination

Cherry Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 19m estimated drive time, departing Greensboro in the morning will allow you to reach Andrews with plenty of daylight to spare. While the longest stretch on I 40 is nearly 190 miles, planning one stop for fuel and a break around the halfway point should be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the western NC mountains, as services can be more spread out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $41, so budget accordingly for your trip.

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 132.6 miles from Greensboro, NC, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.8 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.6 miles or 2h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Andrews, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, NC

This is one driving day of about 265.3 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Greensboro, 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 I 40 for about 189.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Asheville, NC

133 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

Maine, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Barker Heights, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.6 miles from Greensboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 189.8 miles.

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Greene Street

Turn right onto South Greene Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | West McGee Street

Enter roundabout onto West McGee Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | Freeman Mill Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Freeman Mill Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 40 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 40 West
8
14.8 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.49 one way

$82.97 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $45.36 $90.72
premium $4.70 $49.10 $98.20
diesel $5.61 $58.57 $117.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.6 0 $27.86 $12.73
Efficient EV 66.3 0 $23.21 $10.61
EV Truck/SUV 106.1 1 $37.14 $16.98

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Greensboro, NC

Night in Greensboro on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Andrews, NC

Night in Andrews on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

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.

Road read

5h 19m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 96% of it utilizing major highways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 189.8 miles on I 40, which provides a consistent pace. The primary roads guiding you are I 40, US 74, and the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. Expect a road personality that leans heavily towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The journey is built around smooth, high-speed segments for most of its length.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Greene Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 265.3 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: near the start (South Greene Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West McGee Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (Freeman Mill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Greensboro, NC and Andrews, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy and Atlanta.

Statesville

14.8 mi in | ~19m | via I 40

Waynesville

193.3 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Maggie Valley

193.3 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Franklin

193.3 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Murphy

193.3 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Atlanta

193.3 mi in | ~3h 46m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

About the Cities

Starting in Greensboro, NC

Full guide →

Greensboro is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in North Carolina. It is named after Nathanael Greene, a Patriot general who fought a battle here during the Revolutionary War. It's nicknamed the "Gate City" for its historical role as a transportation hub for the Piedmont. The famous author William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born here. It can be sleepy and genteel but is enjoying a newfound reputation as a great place for young people. Downtown especially is experiencing a surfeit of bars, music venues and restaurants. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point are the three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad, halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte.

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 5h 19m. Total distance: 265.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 189.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Andrews, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Greene Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West McGee Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (Freeman Mill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Andrews, NC before the return drive.

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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