Origin
Hickory, NC
Night in Hickory on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hickory, NC to Jacksonville, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 46m
Distance
288 mi
463 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 34m
★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hickory, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Jacksonville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 288-mile drive from Hickory, NC to Jacksonville, NC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 5 hours and 46 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $45. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With 90% of the drive on highways, you'll cover a significant distance on major roads. This trip is ideal for a one-day adventure across North Carolina's Southeast region.
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
144 miles from Hickory, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 146.6 mi | 2h 42m |
| US 421 | 38.8 mi | 46m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| NC 111 | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Richlands Highway | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| NC 50 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 146.6 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on this road
153 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Trade Alley
446 ft
·
34 sec
·
Trade Alley
3
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest
331 ft
·
14 sec
·
2nd Street Northwest
4
Keep slight left at fork onto 2nd Street Southwest
166 ft
·
10 sec
·
2nd Street Southwest
5
Turn left onto Government Avenue Southwest
210 ft
·
9 sec
·
Government Avenue Southwest
6
Continue on 1st Street Southwest
518 ft
·
19 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
7
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
8
Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Tate Boulevard Southeast
9
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
11
Merge onto I 40
86 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 421
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
21
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
22
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
24
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
25
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
26
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
27
Turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
28
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
29
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
NC 111
31
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
32
Turn left
433 ft
·
8 sec
33
Turn slight right onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
34
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marine Boulevard
35
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 46-minute duration, starting your 288-mile trip early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll encounter one primary stop point, but with only a 90% highway share, you'll have ample opportunities for quick breaks along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $45 for the journey. The longest stretch without a major road change is 146.6 miles on I-40, so ensure you're comfortable with this sustained driving period before departing.
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 144 miles from Hickory, NC, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.6 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 2h 52m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hickory, 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 Hickory, NC
This is one driving day of about 288 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Hickory, 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 146.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144 miles from Hickory, 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 146.6 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 89 and 183.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
7
101.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
101.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
8
127.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
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 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
8
183.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.04 one way
$90.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $49.24 | $98.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $53.30 | $106.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.59 | $127.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.24 | $13.82 |
| Efficient EV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.32 | $18.43 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Jacksonville, NC
Night in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
27 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
5h 46m 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?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route will see you spending most of your time on interstates and major US highways. You'll be on roads like I-40, US-421, and US-64 for the majority of the 288 miles. With 90% of the journey on highways, expect smooth sailing for much of the trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 146.6 miles on I-40, so plan for extended periods of driving without needing to navigate complex local roads. The character of the drive is consistent, emphasizing efficient travel.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89 miles in near US 421.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 288 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 89 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.4 miles (US 421): 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.
Between Hickory, NC and Jacksonville, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
Durham
89 mi in
|
~1h 43m
|
via US 421
Pittsboro
127.7 mi in
|
~2h 29m
Wilmington
185.5 mi in
|
~3h 41m
|
via I 40
Kenansville
245.1 mi in
|
~4h 44m
|
via NC 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 288 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.6 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 Jacksonville, 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 89 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.4 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jacksonville, 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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