Trip from Wilsons Mills, NC to High Point, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

118 mi

190 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 9m ★

6 AM

2h 18m

8 AM

2h 37m

10 AM

2h 25m

12 PM

2h 23m

3 PM

2h 26m

5 PM

2h 36m

8 PM

2h 12m

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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Wilsons Mills, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 118-mile drive from Wilsons Mills, NC, to High Point, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the journey on major roads like I-40 and US-29, plus a segment of the Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for travelers within the Southeast region. This drive offers a straightforward path, ideal for those looking for an efficient transit between these North Carolina cities without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

59 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	89.8 mi	1h 44m
US 29	12.5 mi	13m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway	10 mi	11m
US 70	3 mi	3m
South Main Street	1.6 mi	2m
Swift Creek Road	0.4 mi	<1m
Wilson's Mills Road	0.2 mi	<1m
Fire Department Road	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 89.8 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilsons Mills, NC and High Point, NC.

Start on Fire Department Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Fire Department Road

Turn right onto Wilson's Mills Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Wilson's Mills Road

Turn left onto Swift Creek Road

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Swift Creek Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto US 70

3.0 mi · 3 min · US 70

Continue on I 42

10.0 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Merge onto I 40

82 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

7.1 mi · 7 min · US 29

Toward US 29 South Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

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

Turn right onto South Main Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 18-minute duration, starting your drive from Wilsons Mills in the morning allows ample time to reach High Point without feeling rushed. Since it's a relatively short trip with no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest 89.8-mile stretch on I-40, to ensure you don't need to find an unplanned stop. The $18 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected needs.

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 59 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 26 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59 miles or 1h 8m 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 52m

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 Wilsons Mills, 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 Wilsons Mills, NC

This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 89.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hillsborough, NC

59 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

Hillsborough, NC to High Point, NC

56 mi · 1h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

West Raleigh, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hillsborough, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59 miles from Wilsons Mills, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.8 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 30min in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

2.3 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.9 and 116.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

13.9 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

96 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

103.7 mi into trip | ~2h 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...

109 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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

116.2 mi into trip | ~2h 14m 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

$18.45 one way

$36.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$20.18	$40.35
premium	$4.70	$21.84	$43.68
diesel	$5.61	$26.05	$52.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.4	$12.39	$5.66
Efficient EV	29.5	$10.33	$4.72
EV Truck/SUV	47.2	$16.52	$7.55

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Wilsons Mills, NC

Late night in Wilsons Mills on Tuesday

Local time

5:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

High Point, NC

Late night in High Point on Tuesday

Local time

5:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Hillsborough, NC

59 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 18m 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 highway-focused experience for most of this 118-mile trip, with 89% of the mileage on major thoroughfares. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-40, including an uninterrupted stretch of nearly 90 miles. While the Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway offers a slight variation, the overall character is one of efficient travel. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours, making it a no-fuss drive for those prioritizing time.

89% 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: 89.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 118 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 13.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.7 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.

Top landmarks

• Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
• Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...

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 18m. Total distance: 118 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on I 40. 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.

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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Trip from Wilsons Mills, NC to High Point, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Sosta Cafe

Sosta Cafe

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

1922

Triangle Coffee House

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Nissan Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Piedmont Wildlife Center

Washington Terrace Community Center

Graham Regional Park

Nature Research Center

Lake Benson Park

Lake Johnson Park

Gold Park

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Wilsons Mills, NC

High Point, NC

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 18m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in High Point, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From High Point, NC

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