French Quarter Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
250.5 mi
403 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lumberton, NC
Wikimedia Commons
This 264.4-mile journey from Lumberton, NC, to Asheville, NC, is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 4 hours and 13 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $42, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes North Water Street, Carthage Road, and I-74, offering a blend of local roads and highway travel. Given its manageable length and the nature of the drive, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The overall feel is a practical transition across North Carolina.
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
125.3 miles from Lumberton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 71.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| I 85 | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| American Indian Highway | 18.5 mi | 19m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway | 18.3 mi | 19m |
| West Dixon Boulevard | 15.7 mi | 17m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lumberton, NC and Asheville, NC.
Start on North Water Street
Enter roundabout onto North Water Street
Continue on North Water Street
Turn straight onto Carthage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 301
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 74; US 74
Continue on US 74
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
Merge onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74; NC 27
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 85
Take the exit
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Continue on US 74
Take the ramp onto US 74
Continue on US 74
Merge onto I 26; US 74
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Patton Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26; I 240; US 19; US 23; US 74A
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn right onto US 25
Turn left onto Marcellus Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour and 13-minute drive, leaving Lumberton in the morning will allow you to arrive in Asheville with ample daylight. Since this is a single-day trip covering 264.4 miles, you can afford to be flexible with stops. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel, keeping in mind the estimated $42 fuel cost. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route; keep your navigation handy to ensure you don't miss any crucial turns onto roads like Carthage Road or I-74 as you make your way west.
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.
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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 35m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Asheville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, NC
This is one driving day of about 250.5 miles and 5h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 125.3 miles from Lumberton, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Andrew Jackson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Charlotte, North Carolina
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Bridge
Indian Trail, North Carolina
Top Coffee Stop
Asheville, North Carolina
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18282200368
Summit Coffee On the Plaza
Charlotte, North Carolina
Creama Cafe
Marshville, North Carolina
Around the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17043771715
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17045953344
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Indian Trail, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm
+17048825555
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18282200368
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+19804985414
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Marshville, North Carolina
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+17048908646
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17049102249
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Matthews, North Carolina
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17046285072
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Laurinburg, NC
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wadesboro, North Carolina
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: 2–9 pm
+18287765671
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17046544400
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+18284190295
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hours: Closed
+19803144729
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Laurinburg, North Carolina
Hours: Closed
+19102772456
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Asheville, North Carolina
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+18282598080
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Hamlet, North Carolina
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19105820603
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 154.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 74 West, US 74 West: Rockingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$39.17 one way
$78.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $42.83 | $85.66 |
| premium | $4.70 | $46.36 | $92.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.31 | $110.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.30 | $12.02 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.07 | $16.03 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lumberton on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Asheville on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 264.4-mile route, with a 0% highway share contributing to its character. This means you'll be navigating more local roads and intersections rather than long stretches of uninterrupted interstate. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to turns and speed adjustments. This drive is more about the journey through communities than covering ground rapidly, making it feel more grounded and less like a typical highway sprint.
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 7 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 250.5 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 7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.7 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.9 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lumberton, NC to Asheville, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Shelby along the way.
Shelby
Lumberton is a town in North Carolina.
The city of Asheville is a liberal, artsy community nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. A popular tourist destination, this "Paris of the South," has one of the most impressive, comprehensive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States. In 2011 Asheville was picked as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America” by Good Morning America.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 250.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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