Traveling from High Point to Forest City covers 137 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes. This highway-focused trip through the North Carolina Southeast region is easily manageable in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a straightforward road trip. You can expect to spend approximately $22 on fuel for the journey, providing a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Because the trip is relatively short, there is no need to worry about splitting it into multiple days. You will primarily navigate via I-85 and US-29 before transitioning onto West Dixon Boulevard to reach your destination. Overall, this route offers a practical, efficient connection between these two North Carolina locales.
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
68.5 miles from High Point, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
76.7 mi
1h 28m
US 29
18.6 mi
22m
West Dixon Boulevard
12.2 mi
14m
East Dixon Boulevard
12 mi
17m
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
7.6 mi
8m
I 285
3.7 mi
3m
Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 76.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Forest City, NC.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto West Market Center Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Market Center Drive
3
Turn left onto Surrett Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Surrett Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
5
Merge onto US 29
1.2 mi·1 min·US 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 29
14 mi·15 min·US 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 29; US 70
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 64 West, US 70 West: CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 29; US 64; US 70
1.7 mi·2 min·US 29; US 64; US 70
9
Continue on US 29; US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·US 29; US 70
10
Continue on I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
3.7 mi·3 min·I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
11
Merge onto I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.0 mi·4 min·I 85; US 29; US 52; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 85; US 52
73 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 85; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 10BToward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, ShelbyUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on US 74
7.6 mi·8 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
16
Continue on US 74
12 mi·17 min·East Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 182Toward US 221 ALT: Forest CityUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 221A
1.2 mi·2 min·South Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi·45 sec·East Main Street
21
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft·1 sec·Cherry Mountain Street
22
Arrive at destination
Cherry Mountain Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 47 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns. I recommend scheduling at least one stop during your 137-mile journey to break up the longest interstate segments. Since you are budgeting $22 for fuel, try to fill up before hitting the highway to avoid higher costs at busy travel centers. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from the interstate onto West Dixon Boulevard, as the road character changes quickly toward the end of your trip. Having the freedom to complete this drive in one go allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Forest City.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from High Point, NC, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.7 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving High Point, 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 High Point, NC
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from High Point, 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 85 for about 76.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 135.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|Surrett Drive
Turn left onto Surrett Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
16.9 mi into trip|~21m in|US 29; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 64 West, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 64...
8
101.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
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 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
7
135.4 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
6
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|US 221A / South Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 221A / South Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.42 one way
$42.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.42
$46.85
premium
$4.70
$25.36
$50.71
diesel
$5.61
$30.25
$60.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.18
$8.77
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
High Point, NC
Night
in High Point on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Forest City, NC
Night
in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
10 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
2h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as highway travel accounts for 72% of your journey. The route is dominated by a substantial 76.7-mile stretch on I-85, which serves as the core of your travel time. While you begin with fast-paced interstate driving, the experience shifts as you transition to US-29 and eventually local roads like West Dixon Boulevard. This mix keeps the drive from feeling like a purely monotonous grind, though you should be prepared for the steady pace of highway transit. By the time you reach Forest City, you will have moved from high-speed corridors into a more localized driving environment.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.7 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 29. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Surrett Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Surrett Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,014 ft611 ft
Total Climb
654 ft
Total Descent
562 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
~137 mi in
Elevation Range
404 ft
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 High Point, NC to Forest City, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Shelby along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 137 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.7 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Forest City, 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 1.7 miles (Surrett Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forest City, NC before heading back.
