Maine, NC to Carolina Shores, NC is 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 50m via I 73 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The profile is a mix of highway and surface roads, suggesting you'll experience varied driving conditions. With a recommended single day for the drive, it's a manageable trip for those looking for a straightforward route without needing an overnight stay.
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
112.8 miles from Maine, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 73
47.2 mi
51m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
US 64
28.8 mi
38m
Andrew Jackson Highway
19.6 mi
21m
SC 9
19.2 mi
25m
Lexington Road
17.4 mi
24m
East Hamlet Avenue
12.8 mi
16m
Peacock Road
9.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 73
— 47.2 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-73
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~563 veh/hr typical
· worst 967
Quietest
2 AM
~40 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Maine, NC and Carolina Shores, NC.
1
Start on Oak Grove Church Road
48 ft·8 sec·Oak Grove Church Road
2
Turn left onto US 158
2.4 mi·4 min·US 158
3
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Poplar Street
4
Continue on Railroad Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Railroad Street
5
Turn left onto East Depot Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Depot Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
17 mi·24 min·Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 64
1.7 mi·2 min·US 64
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 EastUse the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
27 mi·36 min·US 64
Toward US 64 East: AsheboroUse the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 344AToward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
10
Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220
47 mi·51 min·I 73; I 74; US 220
11
Take the exit onto US 220
4.8 mi·6 min·US 220
Exit 22Toward US 220 South: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
2.5 mi·4 min·West Broad Avenue
13
Continue on US 74 BUS
3.5 mi·5 min·Hamlet Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 74 BUS
466 ft·11 sec·Raleigh Street
15
Turn right onto US 74 BUS
0.3 mi·41 sec·Spring Street
16
Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue
13 mi·16 min·East Hamlet Avenue
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
10 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 74
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
19
Continue on US 74; NC 130
9.4 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.4 mi·47 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
21
Turn right onto US 74 Business; NC 130; NC 410
1.7 mi·2 min·Joe Brown Highway North
22
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Brown Street
23
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.9 mi·1 min·East Strawberry Boulevard
24
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Chadbourn Highway
25
Turn right onto Peacock Road
9.9 mi·13 min·Peacock Road
26
Turn right onto US 701
3.8 mi·5 min·James B White Highway South
27
Continue on US 701; NC 410
6.3 mi·8 min·East 5th Street
28
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
29
Merge onto SC 9
6.1 mi·7 min·SC 9
30
Turn straight onto SC 9
13 mi·17 min·SC 9
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn straight onto S-26-20
1.3 mi·2 min·Sea Mountain Highway
32
Turn left onto SC 90
1.0 mi·2 min·Highway 90
33
Turn right onto US 17
3.1 mi·5 min·US Highway 17
34
Turn slight right onto SC 179
0.8 mi·1 min·SC 179
Use the right lane.
35
Continue on NC 179
0.4 mi·49 sec·Beach Drive Southwest
36
Turn left onto SR 1168
0.6 mi·1 min·Country Club Drive
37
Turn right onto Carolina Shores Parkway
0.2 mi·57 sec·Carolina Shores Parkway
38
Arrive at destination
Carolina Shores Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow flexibility for any unexpected delays. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, and be aware that the $35 fuel cost is an estimate. The 47.2-mile stretch on I 73 is the longest continuous highway segment.
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 112.8 miles from Maine, NC, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 50 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carolina Shores, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maine, 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 Maine, NC
This is one driving day of about 225.5 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Maine, 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 73 for about 47.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 97.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|US 64 / Lexington Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 64 / Lexington Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
20.6 mi into trip|~31m in|US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64...
7
22.3 mi into trip|~33m in|US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 East: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 64 East: Asheboro
6
49.4 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 344A
Toward I 73 South, I 74 East, US 220 South: Roc...
7
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 220
Take the exit onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22
Toward US 220 South: Rockingham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.87 one way
$71.73 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$39.11
$78.21
premium
$4.78
$42.43
$84.86
diesel
$5.35
$47.50
$94.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.68
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.73
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Maine, NC
Afternoon
in Maine on Wednesday
Local time
4:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Rain Showers Likely
S 1 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 8:21PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 24 at 8:09PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Carolina Shores, NC
Afternoon
in Carolina Shores on Wednesday
Local time
4:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 8:21PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 24 at 8:09PM EDT until May 25 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
10 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
4h 50m 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?
This route covers 225.5 miles with 48% on highways. You'll encounter a mixed highway and surface road profile, meaning you'll transition between faster-paced driving and more local roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 47.2 miles on I 73. Expect to navigate areas with a higher density of exits on the highway portions, followed by cruising on surface roads.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on I 73.
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 3.1 miles in near US 64 / Lexington Road.
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 25 significant decision points across 225.5 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 3.1 miles (US 64 / Lexington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
797 ft39 ft
Total Climb
157 ft
Total Descent
908 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
Elevation Range
758 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 225.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on I 73. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Carolina Shores, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 64 / Lexington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Carolina Shores, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
