Origin
Greensboro, NC
Late night in Greensboro on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greensboro, NC to River Bend, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
193.8 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
River Bend, NC
Tim Dusenberry
Trip Overview
This 193.8-mile drive from Greensboro, NC, to River Bend, NC, will take you about 3 hours and 51 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-40 and US-70, with a segment on East New Bern Road. With a fuel cost estimated around $30, this is an economical journey. The route is mostly highway-focused, offering a straightforward path through the Southeast region. Given its duration and ease, it's perfectly suited for a single day's travel without needing an overnight stay.
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
96.9 miles from Greensboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 73.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| East New Bern Road | 26.5 mi | 29m |
| US 70 | 21.2 mi | 25m |
| Goldsboro Bypass | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| US 70 BYP | 14.3 mi | 19m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| US 17 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greensboro, NC and River Bend, NC.
1
Start on West Market Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Market Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto South Dudley Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Dudley Street
3
Continue on Bennett Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Bennett Street
4
Turn left onto East Gate City Boulevard
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East Gate City Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 40 East, I 85 Business North
6
Merge onto I 40
34 mi
·
39 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 42
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
Exit 309
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 70
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
US 70
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 70 BYP
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on I 42
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto US 70; US 258
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West New Bern Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on US 70; NC 58
27 mi
·
29 min
·
East New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 17
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 17
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 17 Business
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 17 Business
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Shoreline Drive
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoreline Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Shoreline Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 51-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is a good strategy to maximize daylight and enjoy less traffic, especially on I-40. You'll have one main road change to navigate, so keep an eye on your GPS. With a total distance of 193.8 miles, planning for one stop is sufficient for a break. Given the longest stretch is over 70 miles on I-40, ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment to avoid any unnecessary detours for gas.
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 96.9 miles from Greensboro, NC, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Bend, 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 193.8 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from Greensboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 107.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East, I 85 Business North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, I 85 Business North
7
38.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
89.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 309
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
6
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
US 70 BYP
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.14 | $66.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.87 | $71.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.79 | $85.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.96 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Destination
River Bend, NC
Late night in River Bend on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3h 51m 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 highway-focused drive for about 66% of your journey. The majority of this route unfolds on I-40, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 73.9 miles, so be prepared for sustained highway speeds. As you transition off I-40 and onto US-70 and East New Bern Road, you'll likely experience a shift in pace, moving from interstate travel to more local thoroughfares. This mix means you'll get a good balance of efficient travel and a slightly more grounded driving experience as you approach your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East New Bern Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 193.8 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 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles (I 40): 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.
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 Greensboro, NC to River Bend, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Goldsboro along the way.
Goldsboro
89.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
|
via I 42
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 3h 51m. Total distance: 193.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 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 River Bend, 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: at 4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at River Bend, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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