Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Late night in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, NC to Archer Lodge, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
101.9 mi
164 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Archer Lodge, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Jacksonville, NC to Archer Lodge, NC is 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m via Goldsboro Bypass and Kinston Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a route with frequent turns, typical of local roads rather than major interstates, making it feel more like navigating through towns and countryside. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's easily achievable as a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro Bypass | 20.2 mi | 21m |
| Kinston Highway | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Richlands Highway | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| Buffalo Road | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Smith-Grady Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| NC 11 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Jonestown Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| US 70 | 5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Goldsboro Bypass
— 20.2 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, NC and Archer Lodge, 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
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Richlands Highway
4
Turn left onto Koonce Fork Road
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Koonce Fork Road
5
Turn right
75 ft
·
8 sec
6
Turn left onto US 258
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Kinston Highway
7
Turn left onto Jonestown Road
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jonestown Road
8
Turn right onto NC 11
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
NC 11
9
Turn left onto Smith-Grady Road
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Smith-Grady Road
10
Continue on Hardy Bridge Road
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hardy Bridge Road
11
Turn left onto Jenny Lind Road
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Jenny Lind Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
13
Merge onto US 70
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70
14
Continue on I 42
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
15
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 70
17
Turn right onto Old Cornwallis Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Cornwallis Road
18
Turn straight onto Old Rock Quarry Road
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Rock Quarry Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto Bizzell Grove Church Road
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Bizzell Grove Church Road
20
Continue on Oak Grove Inn Road
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Grove Inn Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto Old Beulah Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Beulah Road
22
Continue on Browns Pond Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Browns Pond Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto NC 39
33 ft
·
2 sec
·
NC 39
24
Turn right onto Little Divine Road
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Little Divine Road
25
Turn straight onto Buffalo Road
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Buffalo Road
26
Continue on Buffalo Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Buffalo Road
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Buffalo Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip covering 101.9 miles and taking just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed start. While there are no designated stops mentioned, plan for a brief break around the halfway point or when you finish the 20.2-mile stretch on Goldsboro Bypass. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $16, and local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways.
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 51 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51 miles or 1h 12m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Archer Lodge, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jacksonville, NC
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Jacksonville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Goldsboro Bypass for about 20.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51 miles from Jacksonville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 82 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 258; NC 24 Business / Richlands Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business / Richlands Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 258 / Kinston Highway
Turn left onto US 258 / Kinston Highway
Navigation decision point
4
39.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
Smith-Grady Road
Turn left onto Smith-Grady Road
Navigation decision point
5
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
Bizzell Grove Church Road
At end of road, turn right onto Bizzell Grove Church Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.93 one way
$31.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.42 | $34.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.86 | $37.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.27 | $6.52 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Archer Lodge, NC
Late night in Archer Lodge on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
La Grange, NC
51 mi in
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
24 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
2h 17m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey presents a turn-heavy local drive profile, meaning you'll be navigating a series of roads rather than settling into a long highway cruise. With only about 10% of the route on highways, most of your time will be spent on local routes like Richlands Highway and Kinston Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.2 miles on the Goldsboro Bypass, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction. The road character will likely shift as you move from more developed areas to more rural settings.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.2 mi on Goldsboro Bypass.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 258; NC 24 Business / Richlands Highway.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 258; NC 24 Business / Richlands Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 16.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (US 258 / Kinston Highway): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (10%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.2 miles on Goldsboro Bypass. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 258; NC 24 Business / Richlands Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 16.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (US 258 / Kinston Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Archer Lodge, NC before heading back.
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.
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