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Trip from High Point, NC to Jefferson, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 16m

Distance

102.7 mi

165 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States

Jefferson, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 102.7-mile drive from High Point, North Carolina, to Jefferson, North Carolina, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes. You'll primarily follow I-40 West and then US-421, with no significant highway stretches, indicating a more local road experience. Budget around $16 for fuel for this trip. The journey takes you from the Southeast region of North Carolina to another part of the same region, offering a straightforward route for a day trip or a scenic drive. With no designated stops, this trip offers flexibility in how you choose to spend your time.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.4 miles from High Point, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 421 52.5 mi 1h 2m
NC 16 25.8 mi 37m
I 74 9.6 mi 11m
I 40 7.2 mi 8m
South Main Street 3.9 mi 8m
US 221 0.9 mi 2m
East Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
J W Luke Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 421 — 52.5 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Jefferson, NC.

1

Start on South Main Street

3.9 mi · 8 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Continue on this road

0.9 mi · 1 min · this road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Merge onto I 74

8.6 mi · 9 min · I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
5

Merge onto I 40

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 188 Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto US 421

53 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn right onto NC 16

19 mi · 27 min · NC 16
10

Turn left onto Trading Post Road

217 ft · 3 sec · Trading Post Road
11

Continue on J W Luke Road

0.2 mi · 17 sec · J W Luke Road
12

At end of road, turn left onto NC 16

3.8 mi · 5 min · NC 16
13

At end of road, turn left onto NC 16; NC 88

3.1 mi · 4 min · NC 16; NC 88
14

Continue on US 221; NC 88

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 221; NC 88
15

Continue on US 221 Business; NC 88

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

US 221 Business; NC 88

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour and 16-minute duration, this 102.7-mile trip is ideal for a single-day adventure. You can leave High Point in the morning and arrive in Jefferson with plenty of time to explore. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to US-421, and plan for a brief stop if needed, though no specific rest areas are highlighted. The $16 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert and consulting your GPS frequently will be key to a smooth journey.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.4 miles from High Point, NC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 23 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.4 miles or 1h 6m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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 102.7 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from High Point, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 421 for about 52.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cricket, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cricket, NC

51 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

Clemmons, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elkin, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.4 miles from High Point, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Havana Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.7

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13368462800

Top Coffee Stop

Bohemia Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+13368461498

Visit website

Havana Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.7

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13368462800

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Bohemia Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+13368461498

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 22

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Great Southern Gothic: Escape Room & Curiosity Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 102.7

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+13368462410

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 14.7

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 21.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 74

Merge onto I 74

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
13.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 74

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
5
14.5 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
21.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville

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. Exit 188 Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
7
21.8 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 North: Yadkinville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.06 one way

$32.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.56 $35.12
premium $4.70 $19.01 $38.02
diesel $5.61 $22.67 $45.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $8.99 $4.11
EV Truck/SUV 41.1 0 $14.38 $6.57

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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

Late night in High Point on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jefferson, NC

Late night in Jefferson on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°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

11 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 16m 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 turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. While the exact longest stretch isn't specified, the profile suggests you'll be navigating various roads rather than long, uninterrupted highway segments. You'll transition from I-40 West onto US-421, experiencing a mix of conditions as you make your way towards Jefferson. This drive demands your attention with frequent turns and changes in road character, making it an engaging experience behind the wheel.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on US 421.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and NC 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 74.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 102.7 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 4.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

Between High Point, NC and Jefferson, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Yadkinville.

Statesville

13.5 mi in | ~20m | via I 74

Yadkinville

21.6 mi in | ~30m

About the Cities

Starting in High Point, NC

Full guide →

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.

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 2h 16m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on US 421. 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 Jefferson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jefferson, NC before heading back.

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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