Origin
Statesville, NC
Morning in Statesville on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Statesville, NC to Gastonia, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Statesville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Gastonia, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Statesville to Gastonia is 55.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes via I-77 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within North Carolina's Southeast region. You'll encounter mostly interstate driving, making it a quick and efficient trip. Given the short duration and minimal cost, this route is ideal for a same-day journey with plenty of flexibility for departure times.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 77 | 20.2 mi | 23m |
| I 85 | 10.5 mi | 13m |
| Craig Lawing Freeway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| I 77 South | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| I-77 South | 4 mi | 4m |
| Salisbury Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Long Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Ozark Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 20.2 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Statesville, NC and Gastonia, NC.
1
Start on US 21; NC 115
50 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Center Street
2
Turn right onto US 21; US 64
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Front Street
3
Turn right onto Salisbury Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Salisbury Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
5
Merge onto I 77
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77; US 21
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I-77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 77
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 77
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-77 South
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I-77 South
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 19B-A
Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 485
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Craig Lawing Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 9-10
Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 10B
Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 85
10 mi
·
13 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto NC 7
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on NC 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Long Avenue
21
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 29; US 74; NC 274
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Statesville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 30.3 and 53.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
30.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B-A
Toward I 485: Pineville, Matthews
8
30.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward I 485 South Outer: Pineville
8
41.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanburg, Wilkinson Boulevard
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.
Exit 9-10
Toward I 85, US 29, US 74: Greensboro, Spartanb...
9
42.2 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 85 South: Gastonia, Spartanburg
7
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.73 one way
$17.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.33 | $20.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Gastonia, NC
Morning in Gastonia on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
WNW 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
34 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
1h 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 89% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-77, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 20.2 miles. Expect a fast-paced journey with limited opportunities for scenic detours as you navigate the interstate system. The character of the drive remains consistent, focusing on efficient travel between the two North Carolina cities.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.2 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Statesville, NC and Gastonia, NC, road signs point toward Matthews and Spartanburg.
Matthews
30.3 mi in
|
~37m
Spartanburg
41.7 mi in
|
~50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 55.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.2 miles on I 77. 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 Gastonia, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Gastonia, 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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