Origin
Gastonia, NC
Late night in Gastonia on Monday
Local time
4:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gastonia, NC to Elizabeth City, NC
Drive Time
6h 44m
Distance
347.7 mi
560 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 33m
★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gastonia, NC
Alexey Demidov
Elizabeth City, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
The drive from Gastonia, NC to Elizabeth City, NC covers 347.7 miles and takes about 6h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 64, I 40, Cameron Morrison Bridge for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.65 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
173.9 miles from Gastonia, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 44m highway drive covering 347.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 80 miles on US 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 80 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.8 miles in near I 85.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 347.7 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 69.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.6 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
8
102.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
7
145.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
8
175.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
SR 1728 / Wade Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Wade Avenue
7
188.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
Towns Along This Route
Between Gastonia, NC and Elizabeth City, NC, road signs point toward High Point, Wilson and Greenville.
High Point
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 23m
|
via I 85
Wilson
188.4 mi in
|
~3h 39m
Greenville
188.4 mi in
|
~3h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 80 mi | 1h 26m |
| I 40 | 67.1 mi | 1h 17m |
| Cameron Morrison Bridge | 59.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 13 | 40 mi | 50m |
| I 85 | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| US 17 | 21.7 mi | 28m |
| I 87 | 16.8 mi | 17m |
| I 440 | 9.2 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 80 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gastonia, NC and Elizabeth City, NC.
1
Start on West Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Franklin Boulevard
2
Turn left onto South Broad Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Broad Street
3
Turn right onto East Long Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Long Avenue
4
Continue on East Ozark Avenue
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Ozark Avenue
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 85 North
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 85 North
6
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
7
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Cameron Morrison Bridge
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
9
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 29, US 70
10
Keep slight left
37 mi
·
42 min
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 40 East: Raleigh
12
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Wade Avenue
13
Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
14
Merge slight left
9.2 mi
·
11 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
16
Merge slight right
17 mi
·
17 min
17
Keep slight left
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
18
Continue straight
40 mi
·
50 min
19
Continue straight
17 mi
·
22 min
20
Keep slight right
5.1 mi
·
5 min
21
Turn left onto Providence Road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Providence Road
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.9 miles from Gastonia, NC, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.9 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth City, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gastonia, 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 Gastonia, NC
This is one driving day of about 347.7 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gastonia, 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 US 64 for about 80 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.9 mi from Gastonia, NC · 3h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 173.9 miles from Gastonia, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
Arriving in Elizabeth City, NC
The final approach into Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, 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
$55.65 one way
$111.29 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
| premium | $4.78 | $65.41 | $130.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.25 | $154.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
Franklin Square - Tesla Supercharger
Gastonia, NC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Circle K - Gastonia, NC
Gastonia, NC
CIRCLE_K
4 DCFC
1901 E Franklin Blvd
Gastonia, NC
EV Connect
4 DCFC
City of Lowell
Lowell, NC
EV Connect
2 DCFC
TOWN HALL STN DALLAS NC
Dallas, NC
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
Caromont Regional Medical Center
Gastonia, NC
Non-Networked
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 2
CIRCLE_K: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.51 | $16.69 |
| Efficient EV | 86.9 | 0 | $30.42 | $13.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.1 | 1 | $48.68 | $22.25 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Elizabeth City, NC
Late night in Elizabeth City on Monday
Local time
4:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
25 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
6h 44m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gastonia, NC to Elizabeth City, NC covers 347.7 miles and takes about 6h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, I 40, Cameron Morrison Bridge. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.9 miles from Gastonia, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 16 significant decision points across 347.7 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 69.8 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.6 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.3 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gastonia, NC and Elizabeth City, NC, road signs point toward High Point, Wilson and Greenville.
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