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Trip from Whiteville, 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

3h 34m

Distance

174.3 mi

280 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

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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city in North Carolina, United States

Whiteville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

city in North Carolina, United States

Gastonia, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 193.7-mile drive from Whiteville, NC to Gastonia, NC is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including West Washington Street and Powell Boulevard, with no highway driving percentage. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route offers an economical journey. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct, no-frills trip within North Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

87.1 miles from Whiteville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Andrew Jackson Highway 48.7 mi 56m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
Monroe Expressway 18.4 mi 21m
I 85 15.5 mi 19m
G R Kindley Freeway 14.4 mi 15m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Independence Boulevard 7.1 mi 9m
East Independence Expressway 5.4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Andrew Jackson Highway — 48.7 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Whiteville, NC and Gastonia, NC.

1

Start on US 74 Business; US 76 Business

65 ft · 1 sec · Jefferson Street
2

Enter roundabout onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business

205 ft · 3 sec · West Washington Street
3

Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West Washington Street
4

Turn right onto US 701 Bypass

0.9 mi · 1 min · Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
6

Merge onto US 74; US 76

17 mi · 18 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

14 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306B Toward US 74 West: Monroe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 74

2.4 mi · 4 min · East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salisbury Street
13

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

6.5 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

6.3 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
15

Continue on US 74

2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
16

Continue on US 74

2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 74

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP

18 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto US 74

7.1 mi · 9 min · Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on US 74

5.4 mi · 6 min · East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 74; NC 27

0.7 mi · 44 sec · East Independence Boulevard
22

Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27

2.3 mi · 3 min · John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit onto NC 27

2.5 mi · 4 min · NC 27
Exit 1A Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive Use the left lane.
24

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Use the left lane.
25

Merge onto I 85

15 mi · 19 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 19 Toward NC 7: East Gastonia Use the right lane.
27

Turn right onto NC 7

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on NC 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Long Avenue
29

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274

0.5 mi · 54 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31

Arrive at destination

US 29; US 74; NC 274

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 23-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 193.7-mile journey, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to avoid potential rush hour congestion in busier areas. You'll spend an estimated $31 on fuel for this trip. While this route only lists one designated stop, you might want to plan for additional brief pauses to stretch your legs, especially since there are no long highway stretches to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your navigation as you'll be on local roads like Andrew Jackson Highway for much of the way, which can require more frequent attention than interstate travel.

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 87.1 miles from Whiteville, NC, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 38 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.1 miles or 1h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 52m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Whiteville, 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 Whiteville, NC

This is one driving day of about 174.3 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Whiteville, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 48.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, NC

87 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

Monroe, NC to Gastonia, NC

46.7 mi · 1h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Lumberton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockingham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Whiteville, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 152.2

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+17048825555

Visit website

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.9 mi

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 166

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

Hdmona Cafe Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Matthews, North Carolina

1.7 mi

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlotte, North Carolina

2.8 mi

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 152.2

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+17048825555

Visit website

French Quarter Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17043771715

Visit website

Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor & Coffee Shop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17045953344

Visit website

Summit Coffee On the Plaza

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19804985414

Visit website

Hdmona Cafe Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 152.2

Matthews, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17046285072

Visit website

CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17049102249

Visit website

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 152.2

Matthews, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17048417867

Visit website

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 138.3

Monroe, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Whiteville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 110.7

Wadesboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Whiteville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 69.2

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 69.2

Laurinburg, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 69.2

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 69.2

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 96.8

Lilesville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 83

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

NASCAR Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17046544400

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 69.2

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

Visit website

Ray’s Splash Planet

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 166

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19803144729

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 72.3 and 172.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
72.3 mi into trip | ~1h 21m 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.
8
86.7 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 306B Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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
153.8 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | NC 27

Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 1A Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
7
172.1 mi into trip | ~3h 30m 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

$27.26 one way

$54.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $29.80 $59.61
premium $4.70 $32.26 $64.52
diesel $5.61 $38.48 $76.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.3 0 $18.30 $8.37
Efficient EV 43.6 0 $15.25 $6.97
EV Truck/SUV 69.7 0 $24.40 $11.16

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 15, 2026

Origin

Whiteville, NC

Morning in Whiteville on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gastonia, NC

Morning in Gastonia on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Monroe, NC

87 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

6 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

3h 34m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of high-speed travel; instead, anticipate a series of road changes and intersections as you make your way across the landscape. The absence of any designated longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a continuous engagement with the local road network. This profile means you'll be actively navigating, rather than passively cruising, for the entire 193.7 miles.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.7 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 72.3 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 174.3 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 72.3 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.7 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.9 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 174.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 48.7 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. 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 Gastonia, 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 72.3 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.7 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.9 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Gastonia, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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