Traveling from Jacksonville to Albemarle covers 367 miles across the Southeast, typically taking about 7 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Because this is a highway-focused route, you can complete the journey in one long day if you are prepared for the distance. Expect to budget roughly $59 for fuel to cover the entire trip. While the drive is manageable for a single day, it is a significant amount of time behind the wheel, so consider your stamina before departing. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major transit corridors, making this a straightforward, no-nonsense path across North Carolina.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.5 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
259.5 mi
4h 57m
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
NC 50
5.1 mi
6m
Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
5m
Billy Graham Freeway
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 259.5 mi, about 4h 57m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,187 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,692
Quietest
2 AM
~210 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Jacksonville, NC and Albemarle, NC.
1
Start on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Marine Boulevard
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
3
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
4
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·Catherine Lake Road
5
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
8
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
9
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
10
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
153 mi·2 hr 54 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, StatesvilleUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 240
4.0 mi·5 min·Billy Graham Freeway
Toward I 240, US 74A: West Asheville
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 74 Alternate East
17
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Charlotte Street
18
Turn right onto Macon Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Macon Avenue
19
Turn right onto Glendale Road
281 ft·12 sec·Glendale Road
20
Arrive at destination
Glendale Road
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour drive manageable, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch and recharge. Since the majority of your travel occurs on I-40, check traffic reports before leaving to avoid potential congestion on this major artery. If you prefer to avoid peak traffic, starting your drive early in the morning is the best strategy to maintain your momentum. Keep your $59 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as refueling during the long 259.5-mile interstate segment may require you to exit the highway. Having a clear plan for these two breaks will help you stay alert throughout the duration of the trip.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.5 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 81 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.5 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albemarle, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jacksonville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jacksonville, NC
This is one driving day of about 367 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Jacksonville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 259.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.4 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
42.4 mi into trip|~1h in|NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
188.4 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
196 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.37 one way
$116.75 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$63.65
$127.29
premium
$4.78
$69.05
$138.10
diesel
$5.35
$77.30
$154.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.1
1
$38.54
$17.62
Efficient EV
91.8
1
$32.11
$14.68
EV Truck/SUV
146.8
1
$51.38
$23.49
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Afternoon
in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Albemarle, NC
Afternoon
in Albemarle on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 2 mph10% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its heavy reliance on high-speed transit, with highway travel accounting for 89% of your total time on the road. You should prepare for a significant amount of interstate driving, specifically a long, uninterrupted 259.5-mile stretch on I-40. Beyond the interstate, you will transition onto NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road to navigate the final portions of the journey. The experience shifts from the fast-paced, monotonous flow of the interstate to the more controlled pace of regional highways as you approach your destination. It is a functional drive designed for efficiency rather than technical curves or scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 259.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 24. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 367 miles you will encounter 17 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,228 ft14 ft
Total Climb
2,316 ft
Total Descent
102 ft
Highest Point
2,228 ft
~367 mi in
Elevation Range
2,214 ft
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 Jacksonville, NC to Albemarle, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
Jacksonville is the county seat of Onslow County, North Carolina. The home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Jacksonville is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region, approximately a one hour away from the "Port City" Wilmington.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 367 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 259.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Albemarle, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Albemarle, NC before the return drive.
