Spanning 209.1 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Summerfield to Jacksonville takes approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Because the route is straightforward and heavily reliant on major corridors, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You can expect to budget roughly $33 in fuel for the journey, making it a cost-effective way to travel between these two points. You will navigate through the heart of the Southeast, transitioning from the Piedmont area toward the coast. Since the drive is efficient, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
104.5 miles from Summerfield, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
132.8 mi
2h 28m
NC 111
14.4 mi
21m
Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi
15m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11.3 mi
12m
Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
8m
Richlands Highway
6.3 mi
9m
Battleground Avenue
5.5 mi
8m
NC 50
5.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 132.8 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerfield, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on NC 150
247 ft·33 sec·Oak Ridge Road
2
Continue on NC 150
223 ft·5 sec·Oak Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto US 220; NC 150
5.5 mi·8 min·Battleground Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 840
14 mi·15 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 40, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, I 85 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
31 mi·36 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
30 mi·34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: RaleighUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.5 mi·10 min·I 40
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
16
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi·47 sec·NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
17
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
18
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
19
Turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
20
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
21
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·NC 111
23
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
24
Turn left
433 ft·8 sec
25
Turn slight right onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
26
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·South Marine Boulevard
27
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 12-minute commute, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are spending the majority of your time on high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 132.8-mile segment on I-40 to avoid any unnecessary stress. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion around the Greensboro Urban Loop, ensuring a smoother start to your travel day. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-route hotel stays. Prioritize your single planned break around the halfway mark to keep your energy levels consistent until you reach Jacksonville.
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 104.5 miles from Summerfield, NC, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.8 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 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 2h 4m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Summerfield, 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 Summerfield, NC
This is one driving day of about 209.1 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Summerfield, 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 40 for about 132.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 104.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.5 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 40, I 85 North
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 I 40, I 85 North
8
19.6 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East, I 85 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East, I 85 North
7
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
6
82 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
104.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.70 one way
$65.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.75
$71.51
premium
$4.70
$38.70
$77.40
diesel
$5.61
$46.17
$92.33
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: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.96
$10.04
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.30
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.27
$13.38
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Summerfield, NC
Late night
in Summerfield on Sunday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
S 7 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
Destination
Jacksonville, NC
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 12 mph0% 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
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
3 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 12m 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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of your time spent on major roads like I-40, the Greensboro Urban Loop, and NC-111. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, highlighted by a significant 132.8-mile stretch on I-40 that serves as the backbone of your journey. While the initial portion involves navigating the Greensboro area, the remainder of the drive settles into a steady, rhythmic pace. You will find that the personality of the road favors speed and directness over technical, winding local routes. Expect a reliable, predictable experience behind the wheel as you transition between these two North Carolina hubs.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 111. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 209.1 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: at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
628 ft14 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
614 ft
Highest Point
628 ft
~26.1 mi in
Elevation Range
614 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Summerfield, NC and Jacksonville, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Kenansville.
Wilmington
106.6 mi in|~2h 6m|via I 40
Kenansville
166.2 mi in|~3h 10m|via NC 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 209.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.8 miles on I 40. 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 Jacksonville, 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 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
