Hertford, NC to High Point, NC is 235.3 miles and takes about 4h 39m via US 13 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on major roads, so expect a consistent pace for most of the 235.3 miles. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of detours.
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
117.7 miles from Hertford, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 13
72.2 mi
1h 22m
I 85
42.3 mi
48m
Ocean Highway South
32.6 mi
40m
US 64 Bypass
27.8 mi
29m
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi
16m
US 29
12.5 mi
13m
South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi
12m
I 40
7.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 13
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hertford, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on West Grubb Street
180 ft·10 sec·West Grubb Street
2
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 17; NC 37
33 mi·40 min·Ocean Highway South
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 13; US 17 BYP
16 mi·21 min·US 13; US 17 BYP
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 13; US 64
6
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi·29 min·US 64 Bypass
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
8
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
9
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Rolesville Road
10
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Marks Creek Road
11
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Horton Road
12
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi·6 min·Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·23 sec
14
Merge onto I 540
15 mi·16 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
18
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi·5 min·US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: CharlotteUse the left lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 39m estimated drive time, starting your journey in Hertford, NC, in the morning will allow you to reach High Point, NC, well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $37, this is a manageable one-day trip. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 72.2 miles on US 13, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment. Since this is a highway-focused drive, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially as you approach the longest stretch.
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 117.7 miles from Hertford, NC, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.7 miles or 2h 17m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hertford, 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 Hertford, NC
This is one driving day of about 235.3 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Hertford, 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 US 13 for about 72.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.8 and 233.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
133.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
156.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 70 West: Durham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 70 West: Durham
8
221 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
7
226.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
7
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown
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.
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.74 one way
$69.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.18
$76.35
premium
$4.49
$41.61
$83.23
diesel
$4.80
$44.43
$88.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.6
0
$24.71
$11.29
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.59
$9.41
EV Truck/SUV
94.1
1
$32.94
$15.06
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Hertford, NC
Morning
in Hertford on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
High Point, NC
Morning
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:49AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:43AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg 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
2 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
4h 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 72.2 miles on US 13, offering a consistent pace before transitioning to other main roads like I-85. The profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, scenic byways. Expect a relatively uninterrupted journey with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The character is one of covering ground efficiently, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained highways.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on US 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 13 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 235.3 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: at 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 221 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.
Top landmarks
•Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
•Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 235.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on US 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 High Point, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 221 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at High Point, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
