Traveling from Maine, NC to Southport, NC covers 241.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 4 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the journey. You should budget approximately $39 for fuel to cover the distance. The route takes you entirely through the Southeast region of North Carolina, transitioning from the interior toward the coast. While this journey is manageable as a day trip, be prepared for a mixed driving experience that blends highway travel with local routes.
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
120.9 miles from Maine, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 73
47.2 mi
51m
Andrew Jackson Highway
44.3 mi
49m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
US 64
28.8 mi
38m
NC 211
25.4 mi
34m
Lexington Road
17.4 mi
24m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
15 mi
21m
East Hamlet Avenue
12.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 73
— 47.2 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maine, NC and Southport, 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
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
21
Turn right onto NC 211
25 mi·34 min·NC 211
22
Continue on NC 211
15 mi·21 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on NC 211
1.9 mi·3 min·North Howe Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
NC 211
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the 5-hour and 4-minute travel time. Since you only have one planned stop scheduled, choose a location around the halfway mark to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the 47.2-mile stretch of I-73, as availability can change once you move onto the Andrew Jackson or American Indian highways. Because the trip is straightforward, use your flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic flow. A concrete tip for this specific route is to prioritize your fuel stop before leaving the busier interstate sections, ensuring you have enough in the tank for the final leg of your journey.
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 120.9 miles from Maine, NC, or about 2h 37m 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 53 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.9 miles or 2h 37m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 241.8 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 14
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
$37.81 one way
$75.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$41.34
$82.69
premium
$4.70
$44.75
$89.50
diesel
$5.61
$53.39
$106.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.39
$11.61
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.16
$9.67
EV Truck/SUV
96.7
1
$33.85
$15.48
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Maine, NC
Night
in Maine on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Southport, NC
Night
in Southport on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
57°F
Rockingham, NC
121 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
7 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 4m 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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 200.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from major corridors to more localized roads. Roughly 45% of your trip will be spent on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 47.2 miles on I-73. You will navigate a combination of I-73, the Andrew Jackson Highway, and the American Indian Highway as you make your way toward the coast. This mixed-profile drive means you won't be stuck on a monotonous interstate for the entire duration, as the road character shifts as you progress through the state. Stay alert for these changes in road type, as the transition between high-speed segments and local highway sections defines the personality of this 241.8-mile trip.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
7/10
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 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 14 significant decision points across 241.8 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 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
818 ft566 ft
Total Climb
38 ft
Total Descent
253 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~51.8 mi in
Elevation Range
252 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 241.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
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 Southport, 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 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.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Southport, NC before the return drive.
