Jacksonville, NC to Monroe, NC is 216.1 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Andrew Jackson Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The profile indicates you'll be on mostly surface roads, so expect a driving experience that's less about high-speed travel and more about navigating local routes. With a recommended one-day drive, this is a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground without extensive highway time.
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
108.1 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m 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
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
NC 11
10.3 mi
14m
Borough Road
8.7 mi
13m
Malpass Corner Road
8.2 mi
11m
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 Monroe, 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 right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi·10 min·US 74
Exit 273Toward US 74 West: Wingate, MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Franklin Street
24
Continue on East Jefferson Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto NC 207
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Hayne Street
26
Arrive at destination
NC 207
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m estimated drive time, this route is best tackled in a single day, allowing you to depart anytime with flexibility. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it’s wise to fill up before you leave Jacksonville, NC, as there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 73.8-mile stretch on Andrew Jackson Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or the planned stop. This route favors a steady pace over speed, so plan for potential traffic delays near towns along the way.
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 108.1 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 23m 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 48 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 2h 23m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, 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 216.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 63.8 and 216 — 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
9
207.2 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 toward US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 273
Toward US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe
5
216 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|NC 207 / North Hayne Street
Turn right onto NC 207 / North Hayne Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.24 one way
$62.48 round trip
$3.67/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.26
$70.51
premium
$4.55
$38.73
$77.46
diesel
$5.65
$48.10
$96.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.8
0
$22.69
$10.37
Efficient EV
54
0
$18.91
$8.64
EV Truck/SUV
86.4
1
$30.25
$13.83
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Rain
N 13 to 18 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:41AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Monroe, NC
Morning
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
N 17 to 21 mph75% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:41AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
49°F
Fairmont, NC
108 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
2 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 38m 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?
This route covers 216.1 miles, with only about 15% on highways. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, including a longest stretch of 73.8 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. Expect to encounter frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you transition from highway segments to local roads like American Indian Highway and Burgaw Highway.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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 12 significant decision points across 216.1 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.
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.
Monroe is a small city in North Carolina. It is in Union County, on U.S. Highway 74. It has a close association with Charlotte, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Monroe's population is slightly under 27,000. It used to be populated mostly by White and African-Americans; however, the city's Hispanic population has spiked dramatically.
Top landmarks
•Union County Courthouse — courthouse in North Carolina, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 216.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m 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 Monroe, 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
