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Trip from South Henderson, NC to High Point, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

106.1 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown South Henderson, NC, NC

South Henderson, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 106.1-mile journey from South Henderson, NC, to High Point, NC, is a straightforward drive designed for a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 5 minutes on the road, making it a very manageable day trip. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 95% of the drive on major interstates and US highways like I-85 and I-40. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Given its short duration and highway-centric profile, it's a practical option for moving between these two points within North Carolina without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.1 miles from South Henderson, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 81 mi 1h 31m
US 29 12.5 mi 13m
I 40 7.7 mi 9m
Dabney Drive 2 mi 4m
South Main Street 1.6 mi 2m
Raleigh Road 0.6 mi 1m
Miriam Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Nicholas Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 81 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Henderson, NC and High Point, NC.

1

Start on Nicholas Street

27 ft · 8 sec · Nicholas Street
2

Turn sharp left onto Miriam Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Miriam Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 1 BUS

0.6 mi · 1 min · Raleigh Road
4

Turn left onto Dabney Drive

2.0 mi · 4 min · Dabney Drive
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
6

Merge onto I 85

39 mi · 42 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29

5.4 mi · 5 min · US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte Use the left lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

7.1 mi · 7 min · US 29
Toward US 29 South Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward South Main Street, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto South Main Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
13

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour, 106.1-mile drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential traffic, especially on I-85. Since it's a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, though with no designated stops listed, planning for a quick fuel or restroom break around the halfway point might be wise. Your fuel cost is estimated at just $17, so keep an eye on your gauge, but refueling is unlikely to be a major concern. A specific tip for this route: be aware that I-85 is the longest stretch at 81 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with the fuel level before embarking on that segment.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.1 miles from South Henderson, NC, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 23 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.1 miles or 1h 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 1h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South Henderson, 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 South Henderson, NC

This is one driving day of about 106.1 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from South Henderson, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 81 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mebane, NC

53 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.

Popular next leg

Mebane, NC to High Point, NC

46.8 mi · 57m

Pacing Suggestions

Durham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hillsborough, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.1 miles from South Henderson, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henderson, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12522046739

Visit website

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Henderson, North Carolina

1.4 mi

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12522046739

Visit website

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12524920090

Visit website

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $50 to $10 mile 7.6

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19196791002

Visit website

Uptown Bar & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.6

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19193394174

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 60.6

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 75.8

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 60.6

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 68.2

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 15.2

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 60.6

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 68.2

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.1

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 37.9

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 106.1

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.9

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 68.2

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 90.9

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 98.5

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Miriam Avenue

Turn sharp left onto Miriam Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
41.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 85; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
91.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
7
97.1 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 29 South
7
104.2 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward South Main Street, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.59 one way

$33.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.14 $36.28
premium $4.70 $19.64 $39.27
diesel $5.61 $23.43 $46.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.8 0 $11.14 $5.09
Efficient EV 26.5 0 $9.28 $4.24
EV Truck/SUV 42.4 0 $14.85 $6.79

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

South Henderson, NC

Late night in South Henderson on Sunday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

High Point, NC

Late night in High Point on Sunday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

13 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

2h 5m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 95% of the 106.1 miles covered on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 81 miles on I-85, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates US-29 and I-40, providing a mix of high-speed travel. The character of the drive is largely about efficient transit rather than scenic detours, allowing you to cover ground quickly and directly between your origin and destination.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and US 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Miriam Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 106.1 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: near the start (Miriam Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 41.7 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in High Point, NC

Full guide →

High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 106.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 High Point, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Miriam Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 41.7 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at High Point, NC before heading back.

How this page is built

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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