Origin
Archer Lodge, NC
Afternoon in Archer Lodge on Sunday
Local time
4:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Archer Lodge, NC to High Point, NC
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
110.9 mi
178 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Archer Lodge, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Traveling from Archer Lodge to High Point covers approximately 110.9 miles through the Southeast, typically taking about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $18 for fuel to complete the journey, making it a very economical excursion. Since the route stays entirely within North Carolina, you won't need to worry about changing regional driving laws or time zones. It is an efficient connection between these two areas, ideal if you are looking to reach your destination quickly rather than focusing on a multi-day sightseeing tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 76% of your time will be spent on highways like I-85, the Northern Wake Expressway, and US 29. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 42.3 miles along I-85. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a consistent pace. You won't encounter many technical local roads here, as the focus is squarely on getting you from point A to point B via primary infrastructure. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who prefer predictable, high-speed road conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Northern Wake Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 110.9 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 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
8.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Turn left toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Raleigh
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Ral...
8
10.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
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 7
Toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
8
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
101.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Archer Lodge, NC to High Point, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rdu Airport along the way.
Rdu Airport
10.6 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 42.3 mi | 48m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US 29 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Smithfield Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Buffalo Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| New Raleigh Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Archer Lodge, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Buffalo Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Buffalo Road
2
Turn left onto Lake Wendell Road
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Wendell Road
3
Continue on State Road 2508
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
State Road 2508
4
Continue on Bissette Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Bissette Road
5
Turn right onto Smithfield Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Smithfield Road
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 87 South, US 64 West, US 264 West: Raleigh
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87; US 64; US 264
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7
Toward I-540 West: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 540
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Raleigh Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi
·
48 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 14 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your plans. Since there are zero formal stops required by the route data, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. If you are sensitive to traffic, try to avoid peak hours on I-85 to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Northern Wake Expressway, as this initial leg sets the pace for the rest of your travel. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of arriving in High Point with plenty of energy to spare for your activities.
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 55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.4 miles or 1h 9m 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 50m
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 Archer Lodge, 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 Archer Lodge, NC
This is one driving day of about 110.9 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Archer Lodge, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.4 mi from Archer Lodge, NC · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in High Point, NC
The final approach into High Point, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around High Point, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.75 one way
$35.50 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $19.34 | $38.68 |
| premium | $4.78 | $20.86 | $41.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.64 | $49.28 |
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: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.64 | $5.32 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.70 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
High Point, NC
Afternoon in High Point on Sunday
Local time
4:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
2 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
2h 14m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Archer Lodge, NC to High Point, NC covers 110.9 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, Northern Wake Expressway, US 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.4 miles from Archer Lodge, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 110.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Archer Lodge, NC to High Point, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rdu Airport along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From High Point, NC
More from Archer Lodge, NC
More trips to High Point, NC
Explore more options from Archer Lodge, NC or browse trips ending in High Point, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Archer Lodge, NC or High Point, NC on MapSof.net.