This 225-mile journey from Jacksonville, NC, to Indian Trail, NC, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 47 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stops. The route is primarily local roads, indicated by its 0% highway share, so expect a more turn-heavy experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, it's an economical option for a day trip. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region of North Carolina, so you'll be staying within familiar territory for this drive.
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
112.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
73.8 mi
1h 27m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Burgaw Highway
30.6 mi
43m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
Monroe Expressway
13.6 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
NC 11
10.3 mi
14m
Borough Road
8.7 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, NC and Indian Trail, 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 NC 53
31 mi·43 min·Burgaw Highway
4
Turn straight onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Bridges Street
5
Turn left onto US 117 Business; NC 53
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Walker Street
6
Turn right onto NC 53
3.2 mi·5 min·East Wilmington Street
7
Turn left onto Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi·11 min·Malpass Corner Road
8
Continue on NC 210
8.7 mi·13 min·Borough Road
9
Turn left onto NC 11
10 mi·14 min·NC 11
10
Merge onto US 74; US 76
42 mi·48 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
12
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306BToward US 74 West: MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
17
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
19
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
20
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
14 mi·15 min·Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 259Toward Lake ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto West Unionville Indian Trail Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Unionville Indian Trail Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto Unionville Indian Trail Road West
11 ft·0 sec·Unionville Indian Trail Road West
26
Continue on Unionville Indian Trail Road West
1.9 mi·3 min·Unionville Indian Trail Road West
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto US 74
0.6 mi·50 sec·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
501 ft·16 sec
29
Turn left onto North Indian Trail Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Indian Trail Road
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right
28 ft·7 sec
31
Turn left
83 ft·6 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 47-minute estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip comfortably within a single day. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 225 miles; this is a good opportunity to refuel and stretch your legs. Since the route is turn-heavy and avoids highways, pay close attention to your navigation, especially when transitioning between roads like Richlands Highway and Burgaw Highway. The estimated $36 fuel cost is a good benchmark, but it's always wise to start with a full tank to ensure flexibility.
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 112.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 50 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 miles or 2h 28m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indian Trail, 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 225.2 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 73.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 63.8 and 220.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge onto US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
159.6 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
174 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
207.2 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
220.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward Lake Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 259
Toward Lake Park
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.22 one way
$70.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$38.51
$77.01
premium
$4.70
$41.68
$83.36
diesel
$5.61
$49.72
$99.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.65
$10.81
Efficient EV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
EV Truck/SUV
90.1
1
$31.53
$14.41
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
S 2 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Indian Trail, NC
Night
in Indian Trail on Saturday
Local time
10:52 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
38 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 47m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that's more about navigating local roads than cruising on interstates, as this route has a 0% highway share. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent turns and encountering varying speed limits. While there's no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of local driving suggests you'll have regular opportunities to pause or change direction. This driving character means you'll likely experience a more connected feel to the communities you pass through, with plenty of chances to observe the local landscape.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.8 miles in near US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
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 225.2 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 63.8 miles (US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 225.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. 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 Indian Trail, 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 63.8 miles (US 74; US 76 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Indian Trail, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
