Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Huntersville, NC to Elizabeth City, NC

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

Drive Time

6h 17m

Distance

322.2 mi

519 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 4m ★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States of America

Huntersville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in Pasquotank County and Camden County, North Carolina, United States

Elizabeth City, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 322.2-mile journey from Huntersville, NC to Elizabeth City, NC is a full-day adventure, estimated to take about 6 hours and 17 minutes. With a fuel cost around $52, it's an economical choice for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like North Old Statesville Road, Ramah Church Road, and Sam Furr Road, meaning you won't be on highways for this drive. Expect a turn-heavy local experience throughout the entire 6 hours and 17 minutes. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel from start to finish. It's best suited for those who enjoy navigating through towns and local communities rather than high-speed travel.

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

161.1 miles from Huntersville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 80 mi 1h 26m
I 40 67.1 mi 1h 17m
I 85 64.3 mi 1h 10m
US 13 40 mi 50m
US 17 21.7 mi 28m
I 87 16.8 mi 17m
I 440 9.2 mi 11m
Davidson Highway 6.2 mi 9m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 80 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Huntersville, NC and Elizabeth City, NC.

1

Start on NC 115

0.5 mi · 46 sec · South Old Statesville Road
2

Continue on North Old Statesville Road

173 ft · 6 sec · North Old Statesville Road
3

Enter roundabout onto NC 115

200 ft · 7 sec · North Old Statesville Road
4

Continue on NC 115

0.2 mi · 23 sec · North Old Statesville Road
Use the right lane.
5

Turn right onto Ramah Church Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Ramah Church Road
Use the right lane.
6

Enter roundabout onto Ramah Church Road

157 ft · 3 sec · Ramah Church Road
7

Continue on Ramah Church Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · Ramah Church Road
8

At end of road, turn right onto NC 73

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sam Furr Road
9

Continue on NC 73

6.2 mi · 9 min · Davidson Highway
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 85 North: Salisbury
11

Merge onto I 85

31 mi · 35 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

33 mi · 35 min · I 85
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 29
Toward US 29, US 70 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

30 mi · 34 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728

3.1 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue
Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue Use the slight right lane.
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
18

Merge onto I 440; US 1

9.2 mi · 11 min · I 440; US 1
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264

17 mi · 17 min · I 87; US 64; US 264
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

80 mi · 1 hr 26 min · US 64
22

Continue on US 13; US 17

40 mi · 50 min · US 13; US 17
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on US 17; NC 37

17 mi · 22 min · US 17; NC 37
Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17

5.1 mi · 5 min · US 17
25

Turn left onto Providence Road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Providence Road
26

Arrive at destination

Providence Road

Trip Plan

Given the 6 hour and 17 minute duration, starting your drive from Huntersville early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop and no long highway stretches, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimated cost is for the entire trip, and local roads can sometimes lead to unexpected detours or slower travel times. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your navigation system is up-to-date and to be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you follow roads like Ramah Church Road and Sam Furr Road.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.1 miles from Huntersville, NC, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 71 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.1 miles or 3h 9m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth City, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Huntersville, 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 Huntersville, NC

This is one driving day of about 322.2 miles and 6h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Huntersville, 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 US 64 for about 80 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cary, NC

161 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

Archdale, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Raleigh, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.1 miles from Huntersville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.

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

Montero's Restaurant, Bar and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabeth City, NC

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 322.2

Hours: 5–8 pm

+12523311067

Visit website

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Huntersville, North Carolina

2.5 mi

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

China Grove, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

Montero's Restaurant, Bar and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 322.2

Elizabeth City, NC

Hours: 5–8 pm

+12523311067

Visit website

Waterbean Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Huntersville, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17044798888

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 207.1

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12524435094

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23

China Grove, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17048591844

Visit website

Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+17043039008

Visit website

The Holy Grind Coffee House of Kannapolis

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17049251740

Visit website

Editions - Coffee and Bookstore

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17049251406

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 138.1

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 207.1

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 207.1

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.1

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.1

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 207.1

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 207.1

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 115.1

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EV Connect Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 230.2

Tarboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 161.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 69

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Port Discover

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 322.2

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+12523386117

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 161.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 138.1

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23

Kannapolis, North Carolina

+17049388512

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17047099050

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 69

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 44.3 and 162.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
44.3 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 85

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
77.1 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 29, US 70
7
119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
150.1 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | SR 1728 / Wade Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue
7
162.9 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.38 one way

$100.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $55.09 $110.18
premium $4.70 $59.63 $119.26
diesel $5.61 $71.14 $142.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.7 1 $33.83 $15.47
Efficient EV 80.6 0 $28.19 $12.89
EV Truck/SUV 128.9 1 $45.11 $20.62

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Huntersville, NC

Night in Huntersville on Saturday

Local time

9:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth City, NC

Night in Elizabeth City on Saturday

Local time

9:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

2 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

6h 17m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a driving experience that's almost entirely on local roads, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the full 322.2 miles. Since there's no mention of a longest uninterrupted stretch, anticipate frequent turns and changes in speed as you pass through various communities. The character of the road will likely shift as you move through different towns and landscapes, offering a dynamic yet potentially slower-paced journey compared to interstate travel. This route is about the journey itself, with numerous opportunities to experience local settings.

95% 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: 80 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.3 miles in near I 85.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 322.2 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 44.3 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Huntersville, NC and Elizabeth City, NC, road signs point toward High Point, Wilson and Greenville.

High Point

44.3 mi in | ~55m | via I 85

Wilson

162.9 mi in | ~3h 11m

Greenville

162.9 mi in | ~3h 11m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 322.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Elizabeth 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 44.3 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elizabeth City, NC before the return drive.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Elizabeth City, NC

Charlotte, NC 323.3 mi · 6h 20m

More from Huntersville, NC

Clayton, NC 175.3 mi · 3h 28m Graham, NC 104.6 mi · 2h 4m Kernersville, NC 79.8 mi · 1h 36m Lenoir, NC 61.6 mi · 1h 32m Hickory, NC 42.3 mi · 1h 6m Mint Hill, NC 24.2 mi · 30m

More trips to Elizabeth City, NC

Burlington, NC 221.1 mi
Escape planner: Huntersville, NC Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from Huntersville, NC or browse trips ending in Elizabeth City, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.