Oak Island, NC to Greensboro, NC is 222.7 miles and takes about 4h 23m via US 220, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way inland. Given the manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
111.4 miles from Oak Island, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
62.7 mi
1h 11m
Andrew Jackson Highway
54.2 mi
1h 1m
American Indian Highway
33.6 mi
36m
Green Swamp Road Northwest
25.6 mi
35m
I 73
17.6 mi
19m
G R Kindley Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
Southport-Supply Road Southeast
9 mi
12m
North Middleton Street
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 11m
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 Oak Island, NC and Greensboro, NC.
1
Start on NC 906
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Middleton Avenue
2
Continue on NC 906
4.1 mi·6 min·North Middleton Street
3
Turn left onto NC 211
9.0 mi·12 min·Southport-Supply Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on NC 211
26 mi·35 min·Green Swamp Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
6
Merge onto US 74; US 76
34 mi·38 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
7
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi·36 min·American Indian Highway
8
Continue on US 74
20 mi·23 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
11 mi·11 min·G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 311Toward US 1: RockinghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·US 220
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 220
0.4 mi·36 sec·US 220
Use the left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 220
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: AsheboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 73; US 220
18 mi·19 min·I 73; US 220
Toward I 73 North, US 220 North: GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Freeman Mill Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Freeman Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto Freeman Mill Road
0.6 mi·53 sec·Freeman Mill Road
18
Continue on South Edgeworth Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Edgeworth Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto West Market Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·West Market Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 23m drive, consider departing in the morning to give yourself ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $34, pacing is flexible. The longest stretch without a major town change is 62.7 miles on US 220, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop whenever needed, but be aware of the transition from highway to surface roads, which can add time if you encounter busy local traffic.
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 111.4 miles from Oak Island, NC, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greensboro, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Island, 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 Oak Island, NC
This is one driving day of about 222.7 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Oak Island, 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 US 220 for about 62.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.1 and 222.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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.
7
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Rockingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 311
Toward US 1: Rockingham
8
143.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 220 North: Ash...
8
201.7 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 73; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 73; US 220 toward I 73 North, US 220 North: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 North, US 220 North: Greensboro
7
222.5 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|West Market Street
Turn right onto West Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.88 one way
$65.76 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.13
$72.26
premium
$4.49
$39.38
$78.77
diesel
$4.80
$42.05
$84.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.49
$8.91
EV Truck/SUV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
Gas CO2
78 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Oak Island, NC
Late night
in Oak Island on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 17 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 18 at 4:45PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:54PM EDT until July 18 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Greensboro, NC
Late night
in Greensboro on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 18 at 4:45PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:54PM EDT until July 18 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
89°F
Aberdeen, NC
111 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
11 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 23m 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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 38.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 41% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on faster roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a major road is 62.7 miles on US 220. You'll notice the change from higher-speed highway cruising to more stop-and-go traffic as you approach and navigate through towns on the surface road segments. The overall profile is a mix of highway and surface driving.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on US 220.
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 127.1 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.
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 10 significant decision points across 222.7 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 127.1 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.8 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Greensboro is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in North Carolina. It is named after Nathanael Greene, a Patriot general who fought a battle here during the Revolutionary War. It's nicknamed the "Gate City" for its historical role as a transportation hub for the Piedmont. The famous author William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born here. It can be sleepy and genteel but is enjoying a newfound reputation as a great place for young people. Downtown especially is experiencing a surfeit of bars, music venues and restaurants. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point are the three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad, halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte.
Top landmarks
•Guilford Courthouse National Military Park — site maintained by the U.S. National Park Service commemorating the battle
•Greensboro Science Center — science museum and zoological park
•Grimsley High School — public school in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 222.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on US 220. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Greensboro, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.1 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.8 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Greensboro, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
