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 WestUse 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, StatesvilleUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$39.17 one way
$78.34 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.04
$86.09
premium
$4.49
$46.92
$93.84
diesel
$4.80
$50.09
$100.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Greensboro, NC
Late night
in Greensboro on Sunday
Local time
1:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Andrews, NC
Late night
in Andrews on Sunday
Local time
1:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
9 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 228.7
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
Park Closure: Ramsey Prong Road and Ramsey Cascade Trail Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort8/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,946 ft797 ft
Total Climb
2,342 ft
Total Descent
1,388 ft
Highest Point
2,946 ft
~208.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,148 ft
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.
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.
Top landmarks
•Guilford Courthouse National Military Park — site maintained by the U.S. National Park Service commemorating the battle
•Greensboro Science Center — science museum and zoological park
•Grimsley High School — public school in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
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.
Yes — we found about 17 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 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
