Origin
Atlantic Beach, NC
Morning in Atlantic Beach on Thursday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atlantic Beach, NC to High Point, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
243 mi
391 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atlantic Beach, NC
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
The drive from Atlantic Beach, NC to High Point, NC covers 243 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Arendell Street, US 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.8 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
121.5 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 243 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Atlantic Beach, NC to High Point, NC covers 243 miles and takes about 4h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 71.7 miles in near US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 243 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 71.7 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
220.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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.
8
228.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m 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
233.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m 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
241.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 89.8 mi | 1h 44m |
| Arendell Street | 68.8 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 70 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| Goldsboro Bypass | 20.2 mi | 21m |
| US 29 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| US 70 BYP | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 10 mi | 11m |
| West New Bern Road | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic Beach, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on West Terminal Boulevard
27 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Terminal Boulevard
2
Turn right onto South Kinston Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Kinston Avenue
3
Turn right onto NC 58
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Fort Macon Road
4
Turn left onto Atlantic Beach Causeway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Beach Causeway
5
Continue on Atlantic Beach Bridge
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Beach Bridge
6
Continue on South 23rd Street
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
South 23rd Street
7
Turn left onto US 70
69 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Arendell Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 42
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
13
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 70
10 mi
·
14 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi
·
12 min
·
US 70 BYP
17
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
18
Merge onto I 40
82 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
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 121.5 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC, or about 2h 30m 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 53 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.5 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Atlantic Beach, 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 Atlantic Beach, NC
This is one driving day of about 243 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Atlantic Beach, 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 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.5 mi from Atlantic Beach, NC · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.5 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.8 miles.
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
$38.00 one way
$76.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $41.55 | $83.10 |
| premium | $4.70 | $44.97 | $89.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.65 | $107.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
| Efficient EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.26 | $9.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.02 | $15.55 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in High Point on Thursday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Pine Level, NC
122 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
1 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 51m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Atlantic Beach, NC to High Point, NC covers 243 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Arendell Street, US 70. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.5 miles from Atlantic Beach, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 243 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 71.7 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Atlantic Beach, NC to High Point, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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