High Point to Lake Norman of Catawba is 70 miles and takes about 1 hour 34 minutes via I 85, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a practical drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option for a quick relocation or a leisurely day trip. You'll find the journey efficient, with most of the mileage covered on high-speed roads. The relatively short duration means you can easily fit this into your schedule without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35 miles from High Point, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 85
18.9 mi
20m
US 29
18.7 mi
22m
East Church Street
12 mi
17m
River Highway
6.5 mi
10m
I 285
3.7 mi
3m
East Plaza Drive
3.1 mi
5m
Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi
4m
South Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 18.9 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Lake Norman of Catawba, 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
15 mi·15 min·I 85; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 68Toward NC 152: China Grove, RockwellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 29
13 ft·0 sec·US 29
15
Continue on US 29
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 29
16
Enter roundabout onto US 29
84 ft·1 sec·US 29
17
Continue on US 29
22 ft·0 sec·US 29
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 152
0.8 mi·1 min·NC 152
19
Turn sharp right onto NC 152
12 mi·17 min·East Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
At end of road, turn left onto NC 150; NC 152
0.3 mi·27 sec·Oakridge Farm Highway
21
Continue on NC 150
2.8 mi·4 min·Oak Ridge Farm Highway
22
Continue on NC 150
3.1 mi·5 min·East Plaza Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on NC 150
6.5 mi·10 min·River Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto Kiser Island Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Kiser Island Road
25
Turn left onto Riverwood Road
0.2 mi·42 sec·Riverwood Road
26
Arrive at destination
Riverwood Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 34 minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Leaving in the morning will get you to Lake Norman with plenty of daylight remaining. With only 70 miles, you won't need to worry extensively about fuel stops, but it's wise to keep your tank at least half full, especially since the longest stretch is 18.9 miles on I 85. There are no specific recommended stops noted for this route, so you can make the drive in one go if you prefer, or pull over at a rest area on I 85 if needed. Plan to have your fuel topped off before you leave High Point to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted 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 35 miles from High Point, NC, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.9 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 15 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35 miles or 41m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Norman of Catawba, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from High Point, NC
This is one driving day of about 70 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from High Point, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 18.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 44.6 — 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.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|US 29
Merge onto US 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight 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
43.4 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
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 68
Toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
7
44.6 mi into trip|~53m in|NC 152 / East Church Street
Turn sharp right onto NC 152 / East Church Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.95 one way
$21.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.97
$23.94
premium
$4.70
$12.96
$25.91
diesel
$5.61
$15.46
$30.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.13
$2.80
EV Truck/SUV
28
0
$9.80
$4.48
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Morning
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
8:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
Morning
in Lake Norman of Catawba on Sunday
Local time
8:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
6 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
1h 34m 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?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 60% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 85, which forms the backbone of this trip and includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 18.9 miles. While much of the drive is on this main artery, you'll also encounter sections on US 29 and East Church Street, which may offer a slight change of pace. Expect a predominantly fast-paced journey, but be prepared for the transition as you move between these different road types. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than winding scenic exploration.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.9 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Surrett Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.2 miles (US 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 Lake Norman of Catawba, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rockwell 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 1h 34m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.9 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 Lake Norman of Catawba, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Surrett Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Norman of Catawba, NC before heading back.
