Jacksonville, NC to Davidson, NC is 265 miles and takes about 5h 29m via NC 24 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $44 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. With 65% of the route on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip that's well-suited for a single day. If you're looking for a practical way to cover ground between these two points, this route offers a direct path.
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
132.5 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
I 85
52.6 mi
56m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi
30m
Triangle Expressway
19.5 mi
20m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
East Church Street
6.7 mi
10m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,458 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,148
Quietest
2 AM
~368 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Davidson, 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 right at fork
0.4 mi·23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
13
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi·2 min·Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on SR 1010
1.1 mi·1 min·Cleveland School Road
15
Turn right onto NC 50
0.5 mi·56 sec·Benson Road
Use the right lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: ApexUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
19 mi·20 min·Triangle Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 64
32 mi·42 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
23
Merge onto US 421
26 mi·30 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 197Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.4 mi·2 min·I 85
Toward I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
50 mi·53 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 68Toward NC 152: China Grove, RockwellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Enter roundabout onto US 29
13 ft·0 sec·US 29
31
Continue on US 29
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 29
32
Enter roundabout onto US 29
84 ft·1 sec·US 29
33
Continue on US 29
22 ft·0 sec·US 29
34
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 152
0.8 mi·1 min·NC 152
35
Turn sharp right onto NC 152
6.7 mi·10 min·East Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn slight left onto Deal Road
4.4 mi·6 min·Deal Road
37
Continue on Linwood Road
2.1 mi·2 min·Linwood Road
38
Turn left onto Williford Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Williford Road
39
At end of road, turn left onto NC 3
0.4 mi·42 sec·Coddle Creek Highway
40
Turn right onto Rocky River Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Rocky River Road
41
Turn sharp left onto Shearers Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Shearers Road
42
Turn right onto Presbyterian Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Presbyterian Road
43
At end of road, turn left onto NC 115
0.4 mi·37 sec·Mecklenburg Highway
44
Continue on NC 115
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
45
Turn left onto Ridge Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Ridge Road
46
Turn left
252 ft·18 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 29m estimated drive time, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Davidson before evening. With only one recommended stop and a total of 265 miles, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $44, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches, as services can become less frequent on certain segments of NC 24.
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 132.5 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 58 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.5 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davidson, 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 265 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Jacksonville, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.5 and 244.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
184.7 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
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 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
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 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
8
243.1 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 68
Toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
7
244.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|NC 152 / East Church Street
Turn sharp right onto NC 152 / East Church Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.15 one way
$84.30 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$45.96
$91.92
premium
$4.78
$49.86
$99.72
diesel
$5.35
$55.82
$111.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.83
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.10
$16.96
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Davidson, NC
Afternoon
in Davidson on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 1 mph7% 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
1 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
5h 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 65% of your time on highways, covering the remaining miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 59.8 miles on NC 24. Expect a significant amount of highway driving, particularly on I-85, which means you'll encounter frequent exits and merges as you travel north.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on NC 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 38 significant decision points across 265 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 126.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
850 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,051 ft
Total Descent
285 ft
Highest Point
850 ft
~208.2 mi in
Elevation Range
836 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jacksonville, NC and Davidson, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham, Charlotte and Rockwell.
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.
Davidson is a small college town in North Carolina. It is known primarily for its association with Davidson College, and is a suburb of Charlotte. It has 15,106 residents (2020), of whom some 1,800 are students at the college.
Though Davidson has been swallowed by the suburban growth of Charlotte, it has made an intentional effort to retain its small-town identity. As a result, the downtown and campus area do not have the characteristic sprawl of most American suburbs.
Top landmarks
•Eumenean Hall — historic college building in Davidson, North Carolina
•Philanthropic Hall, Davidson College — historic university building in Davidson, North Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 265 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Davidson, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Davidson, NC before the return drive.
