Spanning 271.5 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Jacksonville to Kings Mountain typically requires about 5 hours and 45 minutes of travel time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than an overnight split. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two southeastern locations. Navigating through the state, you will rely on a combination of Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, and Burgaw Highway. While the journey is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the roads means you should prepare for a more active driving experience than you might find on a standard interstate corridor.
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
135.7 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m 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
I 85
24.1 mi
29m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
NC 11
10.3 mi
14m
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 Kings Mountain, 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
18 mi·21 min·Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi·44 sec·East Independence Boulevard
26
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi·3 min·John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi·4 min·NC 27
Exit 1AToward NC 27: Freedom DriveUse the left lane.
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
29
Merge onto I 85
24 mi·29 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 10BToward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, ShelbyUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on US 74
2.0 mi·2 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward NC 216: Kings Mountain, Cherryville, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
115 ft·2 sec
Toward NC 216 South: Kings Mountain, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Turn left onto NC 216
0.5 mi·1 min·North Piedmont Avenue
35
Turn left
86 ft·6 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 45-minute journey, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak local traffic and ensure you reach Kings Mountain with plenty of daylight left. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, scheduling at least one meaningful stop is highly recommended to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the segments off the main highways, as service availability can vary significantly on local roads. Since this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; take advantage of it by pacing your drive to match your comfort level. Always prioritize consistent breaks, especially during the winding sections, to keep your energy levels steady behind the wheel.
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 135.7 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 53m 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 60 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 53m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kings Mountain, 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 271.5 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 174 and 271 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
241.2 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
8
268 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
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 10B
Toward US 74 West: Kings Mountain, Shelby
9
271 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NC 216 South: Kings Mountain, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 216 South: Kings Mountain, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.46 one way
$84.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$46.42
$92.84
premium
$4.70
$50.25
$100.50
diesel
$5.61
$59.94
$119.89
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: 95 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.5
1
$28.51
$13.03
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
EV Truck/SUV
108.6
1
$38.01
$17.38
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kings Mountain, NC
Late night
in Kings Mountain on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
7 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 45m 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?
Expect a diverse driving experience that feels far from a monotonous highway slog. With only 29% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend the majority of your time on local roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 73.8-mile segment on the Andrew Jackson Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more technical sections. As you transition between these regional thoroughfares, the road character shifts frequently, requiring you to navigate turns and local traffic patterns. This is an ideal route if you prefer an engaging, hands-on drive that keeps you connected to the local landscape rather than cruising on autopilot.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 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?
10/10
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 174 miles in near US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway.
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 19 significant decision points across 271.5 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 174 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.2 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,001 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,029 ft
Total Descent
41 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
~271.5 mi in
Elevation Range
987 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 271.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m 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 Kings Mountain, 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 174 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.2 miles (NC 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kings Mountain, NC before the return drive.
