Jacksonville, NC to Newton, NC is 287.3 miles and takes about 5h 42m via I 40 and NC 24, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within North Carolina, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. Consider this a practical option for getting between these two points without much fuss.
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
143.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
179.8 mi
3h 26m
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
NC 50
5.1 mi
6m
Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
5m
South Kenansville Bypass
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 179.8 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 105 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,967 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,597
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 105 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 Newton, 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 left at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
73 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, StatesvilleUse the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 133Toward Rock Barn Road
16
Turn left onto Rockbarn Road
498 ft·9 sec·Rockbarn Road
17
Continue on Rock Barn Road Northeast
1.0 mi·1 min·Rock Barn Road Northeast
18
Turn left onto NC 16
1.9 mi·3 min·NC 16
19
Turn right onto McLin Creek Road South
0.1 mi·11 sec·McLin Creek Road South
20
Continue on East 20th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·East 20th Street
21
Continue on East 20th Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·East 20th Street
22
Turn left onto NC 16 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·North Main Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
NC 16 BUS
Trip Plan
For a 5h 42m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility with your departure time. A single recommended stop is factored into the duration, so plan for that break. Keep an eye on fuel, especially since the longest stretch on I 40 is nearly 180 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $44, so budget accordingly.
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 143.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.8 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 63 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newton, 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 287.3 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 I 40 for about 179.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.4 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
42.4 mi into trip|~1h in|NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
188.4 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
196 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.53 one way
$83.07 round trip
$3.67/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.87
$93.75
premium
$4.55
$51.49
$102.98
diesel
$5.65
$63.95
$127.91
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: 100.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
EV Truck/SUV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.39
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Afternoon
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Rain Showers
N 9 to 18 mph98% 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
Newton, NC
Afternoon
in Newton on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny
N 8 to 16 mph56% 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
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
5h 42m 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?
With 86% of the trip on highways, you'll mostly experience I 40 for long stretches. The longest continuous highway segment covers 179.8 miles on I 40. You'll eventually transition to surface roads like NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road as you get closer to your destination. Expect a steady cruising pace for the majority of the drive, with the shift to local roads becoming noticeable later in the trip.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 24. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.3 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,007 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,195 ft
Total Descent
201 ft
Highest Point
1,007 ft
~287.3 mi in
Elevation Range
993 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jacksonville, NC to Newton, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 287.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 179.8 miles on I 40. 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 Newton, 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newton, NC before the return drive.
