Laurinburg, NC to Gastonia, NC is 114.8 miles and takes about 2h 30m via Andrew Jackson Highway and I 85, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a practical, relatively short drive that's ideal for a single day. You’ll experience a mix of driving conditions, making it a straightforward journey for most travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a manageable travel time with minimal overnight requirements.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.4 miles from Laurinburg, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway
22.9 mi
29m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
I 85
15.5 mi
19m
G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi
15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi
9m
East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 22.9 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurinburg, NC and Gastonia, NC.
1
Start on US 15 Business; US 401 Business; US 501 Business
39 ft·8 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 74 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·West Church Street
3
Continue on US 74 BUS; NC 79
11 mi·14 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi·15 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
8
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
10
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
11
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
13
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.
14
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi·9 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi·6 min·East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi·44 sec·East Independence Boulevard
17
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi·3 min·John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi·4 min·NC 27
Exit 1AToward NC 27: Freedom DriveUse the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 85
15 mi·19 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 19Toward NC 7: East GastoniaUse the right lane.
22
Turn right onto NC 7
0.6 mi·1 min·East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on NC 7
0.7 mi·1 min·East Long Avenue
24
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274
0.5 mi·54 sec·East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Arrive at destination
US 29; US 74; NC 274
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2h 30m duration, leaving Laurinburg, NC in the morning allows ample time to reach Gastonia, NC well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break, perhaps after the initial 22.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $18, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before hitting the longer highway stretches. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you can depart at your leisure and enjoy a straightforward drive with minimal logistical planning.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.4 miles from Laurinburg, NC, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.9 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gastonia, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laurinburg, 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 Laurinburg, NC
This is one driving day of about 114.8 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Laurinburg, 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 22.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 112.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.8 mi into trip|~16m 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
27.2 mi into trip|~32m 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
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m 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
94.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
7
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.95 one way
$35.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.63
$39.26
premium
$4.70
$21.25
$42.49
diesel
$5.61
$25.35
$50.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.05
$5.51
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.59
EV Truck/SUV
45.9
0
$16.07
$7.35
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Laurinburg, NC
Morning
in Laurinburg on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gastonia, NC
Morning
in Gastonia on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Monroe, NC
57 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
2h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 114.8-mile journey offers a mixed drive experience, with 51% of it on highways. You’ll start on Andrew Jackson Highway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.9 miles awaits, providing a consistent pace. As you progress, the route transitions to the Monroe Expressway before merging onto I-85, introducing more typical interstate driving. This blend means you’ll encounter both open highway cruising and sections that feel more like navigating through connected towns. Expect a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.9 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 114.8 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 12.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.4 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Laurinburg is a town in North Carolina. In many ways, Laurinburg is your typical rural North Carolina town, trying to find ways to evolve in the 21st century. There are some examples of historic Carolinan architecture here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 114.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.9 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Gastonia, 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 12.8 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.4 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gastonia, NC before heading back.
