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Trip from Greensboro, NC to Sunset Beach, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 20m

Distance

203.2 mi

327 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 7m ★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 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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town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America

Sunset Beach, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Greensboro, NC to Sunset Beach, NC covers 203.2 miles and takes about 4h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 73, American Indian Highway, Andrew Jackson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.2 miles on I 73. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.78 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

101.6 miles from Greensboro, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 73 57.2 mi 1h 3m
American Indian Highway 33.6 mi 36m
Andrew Jackson Highway 27.2 mi 29m
Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway 17.7 mi 19m
New Britton Highway East 17 mi 29m
East Hamlet Avenue 12.8 mi 16m
Longwood Road Northwest 8.9 mi 18m
US 220 4.8 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 73 — 57.2 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greensboro, NC and Sunset Beach, NC.

1

Start on West Market Street

130 ft · 9 sec · West Market Street
2

Turn right onto South Greene Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Greene Street
Use the right lane.
3

Enter roundabout onto West McGee Street

17 ft · 0 sec · West McGee Street
4

Continue on West McGee Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · West McGee Street
5

Turn left onto Freeman Mill Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Freeman Mill Road
Use the right lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto Freeman Mill Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · Freeman Mill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 220

18 mi · 19 min · Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8

Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220

57 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 73; I 74; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto US 220

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 220
Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Broad Avenue
11

Continue on US 74 BUS

3.5 mi · 5 min · Hamlet Avenue
12

Turn left onto US 74 BUS

466 ft · 11 sec · Raleigh Street
13

Turn right onto US 74 BUS

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Spring Street
14

Turn slight left onto East Hamlet Avenue

13 mi · 16 min · East Hamlet Avenue
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

10 mi · 10 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 74

34 mi · 36 min · American Indian Highway
17

Continue on US 74; NC 130

17 mi · 18 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 701 Bypass

1.2 mi · 2 min · Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Jk Powell Boulevard
21

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Powell Boulevard
22

Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130

1.4 mi · 2 min · South J K Powell Boulevard
23

Turn left onto NC 130

0.3 mi · 33 sec · West Love Mill Road
24

Turn straight onto NC 130

1.5 mi · 2 min · Vinson Boulevard
25

Continue on NC 130

17 mi · 29 min · New Britton Highway East
26

Continue on NC 130

3.2 mi · 4 min · Whiteville Road Northwest
27

Turn slight right onto Longwood Road Northwest

8.9 mi · 18 min · Longwood Road Northwest
28

Continue on NC 904

3.6 mi · 5 min · Seaside Road Southwest
29

Turn right onto NC 179 Business

1.7 mi · 3 min · Sunset Boulevard North
30

Enter roundabout onto Sunset Boulevard South

31 ft · 0 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
31

Continue on Sunset Boulevard South

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Sunset Boulevard South
32

Arrive at destination

Sunset Boulevard South

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 101.6 miles from Greensboro, NC, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 45 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.6 miles or 2h 1m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, NC

This is one driving day of about 203.2 miles and 4h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Greensboro, 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 73 for about 57.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockingham, NC

102 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

Troy, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laurinburg, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Greensboro, 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.

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 203.2

Sunset Beach, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 87.1

Hamlet, North Carolina

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 87.1

Rockingham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 101.6

Laurinburg, NC

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 29

Asheboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 29

Asheboro, North Carolina

+18333994638

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 145.2

Evergreen, North Carolina

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 159.7

Chadbourn, North Carolina

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 87.1

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 101.6

Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19102772456

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 102.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Greene Street

Turn right onto South Greene Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | West McGee Street

Enter roundabout onto West McGee Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | Freeman Mill Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Freeman Mill Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
78.2 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | US 220

Take the exit onto US 220 toward US 220 South: Rockingham

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 22 Toward US 220 South: Rockingham
6
102.3 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.78 one way

$63.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $34.74 $69.49
premium $4.70 $37.61 $75.22
diesel $5.61 $44.86 $89.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61 0 $21.34 $9.75
Efficient EV 50.8 0 $17.78 $8.13
EV Truck/SUV 81.3 1 $28.45 $13.00

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 18, 2026

Origin

Greensboro, NC

Afternoon in Greensboro on Saturday

Local time

3:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sunset Beach, NC

Afternoon in Sunset Beach on Saturday

Local time

3:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 1 mph 0% chance Live forecast

57°F

Rockingham, NC

102 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

4h 20m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

203.2 mi in 4h 20m — 39% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 73.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.2 mi on I 73.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 early in the drive near South Greene Street.

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 15 significant decision points across 203.2 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: near the start (South Greene Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West McGee Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (Freeman Mill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Greensboro, NC

Full guide →

Greensboro is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in North Carolina. It is named after Nathanael Greene, a Patriot general who fought a battle here during the Revolutionary War. It's nicknamed the "Gate City" for its historical role as a transportation hub for the Piedmont. The famous author William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born here. It can be sleepy and genteel but is enjoying a newfound reputation as a great place for young people. Downtown especially is experiencing a surfeit of bars, music venues and restaurants. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point are the three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad, halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte.

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 4h 20m. Total distance: 203.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 57.2 miles on I 73. 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 Sunset Beach, 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: near the start (South Greene Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West McGee Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.4 miles (Freeman Mill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Sunset Beach, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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