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0.1 mi from route
Trip from High Point, NC to Northchase, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
207 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
High Point, NC
b ch
Northchase, NC
R9 Media Photo Collective
Trip Overview
High Point to Northchase is 207 miles and takes about 4 hours and 1 minute via I 40 and US 421, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. For the most part, you'll be on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. It's a manageable distance for a single day, so you can plan to arrive in Northchase without needing an overnight stop.
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
103.5 miles from High Point, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 102.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| US 421 | 26.5 mi | 32m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| US 29 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| I 85 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| North College Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 102.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,167 veh/hr typical · worst 1,513
Quietest
2 AM
~54 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Northchase, NC.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
3
Merge onto US 29
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
101 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Castle Hayne, Hampstead
17
Turn left onto Holly Shelter Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Holly Shelter Road
18
Turn left onto US 117; NC 133
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Castle Hayne Road
19
Enter roundabout onto US 117; NC 132
381 ft
·
6 sec
·
North College Road
20
Continue on US 117; NC 132
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North College Road
21
Turn left onto Trademark Drive
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Trademark Drive
22
Turn right onto Enterprise Drive
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Enterprise Drive
23
Turn right onto North Chase Apartments
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Chase Apartments
24
Arrive at destination
North Chase Apartments
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving High Point in the morning allows ample time to reach Northchase by afternoon. You'll only need one stop for fuel or a quick break, and the $32 fuel estimate should help with budgeting. Pay attention to the transition from I 40 to US 421, as this is where the highway driving begins to change. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility to leave a little later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 103.5 miles from High Point, NC, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.2 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northchase, 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 207 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 40 for about 102.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.5 miles from High Point, 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 102.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Duplin County I-40 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 98.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
16.5 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
42.8 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
98.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
$32.92 one way
$65.85 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
| premium | $4.78 | $38.95 | $77.89 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $43.60 | $87.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.74 | $9.94 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.11 | $8.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.98 | $13.25 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
High Point, NC
Evening in High Point on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers Likely
NE 8 mph
62% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Northchase, NC
Evening in Northchase on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
13 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
4h 1m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 192.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of it on major roads like I 40 and US 421. You'll experience a long stretch of 102.2 miles on I 40 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits on the highway sections. The remaining 5% of the drive will involve surface roads as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.2 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 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near I 85.
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 22 significant decision points across 207 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 10.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
922 ft
26 ft
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
938 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
Elevation Range
896 ft
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 High Point, NC and Northchase, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro and Wilmington.
Pittsboro
42.8 mi in
|
~52m
Wilmington
100.6 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 40
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Penny Bath Cafe And Crepe Shop
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
High Point, NC
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteTea Time Boba Lounge
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
High Point, NC
Cuisine: bubble_tea
Hours: Tu-Sa 13:00-20:00, Su 13:00-19:00
Visit websiteDeBeen Espresso
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
High Point, NC
Visit websiteCornerstone Cafe & Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Benson, NC
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
Glenda's Sweet Shoppe & Grille
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Benson
Sumela Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
High Point, NC
Cuisine: turkish;mediterranean
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00
Visit websitePanaderia Pasteleria Los Tres Hermanos
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Taco Toro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sweet Old Bill's
Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
High Point, NC
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteChick-fil-A
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
High Point, NC
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su off
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
High Point, NC
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 07:00-23:00
Visit websiteArmstrong Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Harvell Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Washington Terrace Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cedron Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Eastwood Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
World's Largest Chest of Drawers
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
High Point, NC
Visit websitePlank Road Foreman
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
High Point Monument to Veterans of World War I
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Silk Hope Ruritan Club
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Siler City, NC
Visit websiteGarner Veterans' Memorial
Memorial
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Red Lion Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Country Hearth Inn
Hotel
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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.
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...
Arriving in Northchase, NC
Full guide →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 4h 1m. Total distance: 207 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Northchase, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Northchase, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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