Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
34m
Distance
18.1 mi
29 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hot Springs, NC
Siarhei Nester
Walnut Creek, NC
Keith Cassill
Hot Springs, NC to Walnut Creek, NC is 18.1 miles and takes about 34 minutes via US 25, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short, direct trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a quick hop that's perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss. You'll find the majority of this drive is on main roads, making it straightforward for most travelers.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 25 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| Bridge Street | 5 mi | 7m |
| Walnut Creek Road | 2.9 mi | 9m |
| North Surpentine Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, NC and Walnut Creek, NC.
Start on North Surpentine Avenue
Continue on North Spring Street
Turn left onto US 25; US 70
At end of road, turn right onto US 25; US 70
Turn sharp left onto Walnut Creek Road
Arrive at destination
3 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 15.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 25; US 70 / Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto US 25; US 70
Navigation decision point
Turn sharp left onto Walnut Creek Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$2.62 one way
$5.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $2.95 | $5.91 |
| premium | $4.55 | $3.24 | $6.49 |
| diesel | $5.65 | $4.03 | $8.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hot Springs on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Fog
Destination
Afternoon in Walnut Creek on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Fog
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 55% of it on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 9.9 miles along US 25. Expect a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially more local road conditions as you approach your destination. The transition between these road types is gradual, providing a varied but manageable driving experience throughout the 34-minute journey.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 25; US 70 / Bridge Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hot Springs, NC to Walnut Creek, NC is easy. At 34m with 55% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 25; US 70 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (US 25; US 70): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles (Walnut Creek Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,601 ft
Total Descent
896 ft
Highest Point
2,291 ft
~7.8 mi in
Elevation Range
897 ft
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Marshall, NC
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Hot Springs, NC
Cuisine: diner
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Restaurant
Later in the drive, short detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: We-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00
Visit websiteRestaurant
Near the end, short detour
Viewpoint
Near the start, right off the route
Camp_site
Near the start, right off the route
Camp_site
Near the start, right off the route
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Camp_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
Monument
Later in the drive, short detour
Monument
Later in the drive, short detour
Monument
Later in the drive, short detour
Monument
Later in the drive, short detour
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Camp_site
Near the start, right off the route
Camp_site
Near the start, right off the route
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Camp_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Founded 1828
Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. Hot Springs is located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. A natural thermal spring is located here, the only hot spring known in North Carolina and in much of the southeastern United States. Thus, this area has long been a destination for those looking for therapeutic relief from their ailments.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 34m. Total distance: 18.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Hot Springs, NC or browse trips ending in Walnut Creek, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
