Jacksonville, NC to High Point, NC is 201.9 miles and takes about 4h 10m via NC 24 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region toward the central part of the state. Expect a highway-focused experience that should be straightforward for most drivers. With a recommended one-day trip, you can comfortably reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. This route offers a practical way to connect these two NC cities.
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
101 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
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
US 29
7.1 mi
7m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, NC and High Point, 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 right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m duration, starting your drive in the morning from Jacksonville, NC, will allow ample time to reach High Point, NC, before evening. The longest stretch without a planned stop is nearly 60 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before departing Jacksonville. While this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to make a brief stop if needed. Keep an eye out for changes in speed limits as you transition between different highway sections and local roads.
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 101 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 3m 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 44 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, 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 201.9 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.5 and 200 — 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,...
7
192.9 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
7
200 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown
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.
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.81 one way
$59.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.76
$65.51
premium
$4.49
$35.71
$71.41
diesel
$4.80
$38.12
$76.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.27
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
7:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:27PM EDT until July 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:16PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
High Point, NC
Morning
in High Point on Sunday
Local time
7:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:27PM EDT until July 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:16PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
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
6 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
4h 10m 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?
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey on faster roads. You'll encounter stretches on NC 24 and US 64, including a significant uninterrupted segment of 59.8 miles on NC 24. While not an interstate grind, the majority of your time will be spent on well-maintained highways. The route progresses by moving you inland from the coast. The road character is generally consistent, making for a predictable driving experience.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 US 64. 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 27 significant decision points across 201.9 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
922 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,018 ft
Total Descent
110 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
~201.9 mi in
Elevation Range
908 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 High Point, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
Pittsboro
125.9 mi in|~2h 33m
Durham
184.7 mi in|~3h 49m|via US 421
Charlotte
184.7 mi in|~3h 49m|via US 421
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.
Top landmarks
•Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
•Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m 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 7 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 High Point, 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 7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at High Point, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
