Rocky Mount, NC to Matthews, NC is 214.2 miles and takes about 4h 21m via US 64 Bypass and US 1, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling from one part of North Carolina to another. The route offers a mixed experience of highway driving and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. It's a straightforward drive if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points in NC.
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
107.1 miles from Rocky Mount, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64 Bypass
50.9 mi
55m
US 1
43.4 mi
52m
Jefferson Davis Highway
23 mi
27m
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
22 mi
24m
Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi
21m
Broad Avenue
15.5 mi
20m
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 64 Bypass
— 50.9 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,625 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~378 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 95 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 Rocky Mount, NC and Matthews, NC.
1
Start on Cokey Road
425 ft·18 sec·Cokey Road
2
Turn sharp right onto Hill Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Hill Street
3
Turn right onto NC 97
174 ft·3 sec·Arlington Street
4
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 97
269 ft·7 sec·Arlington Street
5
Continue on NC 97
1.4 mi·2 min·Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
7
Merge onto US 64 Bypass; NC 43
51 mi·55 min·US 64 Bypass; NC 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.7 mi·3 min·I 87; I 440; US 64
9
Merge onto I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 40; US 64
2.7 mi·3 min·Dan K Moore Freeway
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
1.1 mi·1 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
12
Continue on I 40; US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·Dan K Moore Freeway
13
Take the exit onto US 64
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 64
Toward I 440 East, US 1, US 64 West: Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford, Asheboro
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·40 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 64
Exit 293AToward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, AsheboroUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Asheboro
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·27 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.1 mi·8 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
19
Merge onto US 1; US 64
22 mi·24 min·Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 1
23 mi·27 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·46 sec
22
Merge onto US 1
43 mi·52 min·US 1
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto East Green Street
0.9 mi·1 min·East Green Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 74 BUS
16 mi·20 min·Broad Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi·4 min·East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi·1 min·Salisbury Street
27
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi·8 min·W. Cliff Martin Highway
29
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi·3 min·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
30
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi·5 min·East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi·34 sec·Carroll M. Edwards Highway
32
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.
33
Merge onto US 74
2.2 mi·3 min·Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Matthews-Mint Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Matthews-Mint Hill Road
35
Continue on East Matthews Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Matthews Street
36
Turn left onto North Trade Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Trade Street
37
Turn right onto West John Street
489 ft·18 sec·West John Street
Use the right lane.
38
Turn right onto North Freemont Street
13 ft·0 sec·North Freemont Street
39
Arrive at destination
North Freemont Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 21m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated around $32, it’s a budget-friendly trip. The route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility; however, breaking it up at the 50.9-mile mark on US 64 Bypass could offer a natural pause. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before longer stretches on the highway.
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 107.1 miles from Rocky Mount, NC, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.9 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 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 2m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Matthews, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount, NC
This is one driving day of about 214.2 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Rocky Mount, 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 64 Bypass for about 50.9 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 214.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hill Street
Turn sharp right onto Hill Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
9
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 293A
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
7
192 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
214.1 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|West John Street
Turn right onto West John Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.03 one way
$68.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.11
$74.21
premium
$4.78
$40.31
$80.62
diesel
$6.18
$52.11
$104.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$29.99
$13.71
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Rocky Mount, NC
Morning
in Rocky Mount on Monday
Local time
9:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
N 14 to 17 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 3:24AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Matthews, NC
Morning
in Matthews on Monday
Local time
9:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
NE 14 to 17 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 5:36AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 3:24AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
71°F
Aberdeen, NC
107 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
1 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
4h 21m 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 4h 21m drive features a 58% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 214.2 miles on faster roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 50.9 miles on US 64 Bypass. Expect to encounter mixed driving conditions, including areas with numerous exits and merges as you navigate through different types of terrain.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.9 mi on US 64 Bypass.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near Hill Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 214.2 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 0.1 miles (Hill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 63.5 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.8 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
730 ft197 ft
Total Climb
820 ft
Total Descent
287 ft
Highest Point
730 ft
~214.2 mi in
Elevation Range
533 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rocky Mount, NC and Matthews, NC, road signs point toward Wake Forest, Sanford and Asheboro.
Rocky Mount is a city in North Carolina. Its dawning days were more or less centered around cotton mills in the early 19th century, though it was settled as early as the 1700s by Europeans. Eventually tobacco became the prized crop and warehouses and rail stations sprung up to export this commodity. Rocky Mount, though with a reputation tarnished somewhat by crime and urban decay, is the birthplace of Mike Tyson and Hardee's fast food restaurants and where Jim Thorpe debuted with the Rocky Mountain Railroaders and Jack Kerouac wrote parts of "The Dharma Bums" during his visits there.
Top landmarks
•Rocky Mount Mills — Historic property in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 214.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.9 miles on US 64 Bypass. 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 Matthews, 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 0.1 miles (Hill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 63.5 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.8 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Matthews, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
