Origin
High Point, NC
Morning in High Point on Saturday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from High Point, NC to Hillsborough, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
55.6 mi
89 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillsborough, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from High Point, NC to Hillsborough, NC covers 55.6 miles and takes about 1h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 29, I 85 US 70 Connector for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 8m highway drive covering 55.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 34.5 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 34.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 2.1 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 29
Merge onto US 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
10.5 mi into trip
|
~13m 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
6
16.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
51 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
51.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 34.5 mi | 40m |
| US 29 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| I 85 US 70 Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West King Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Hill Avenue North | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lakeshore Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Latimer Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 34.5 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Hillsborough, NC.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
3
Merge onto US 29
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29, US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
35 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 161
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
142 ft
·
7 sec
9
Turn left onto NC 86 Truck
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 85 US 70 Connector
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto West Hill Avenue North
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hill Avenue North
11
Turn left onto Latimer Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Latimer Street
12
Turn right onto Lakeshore Drive
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Lakeshore Drive
13
Turn left onto West King Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West King Street
14
Arrive at destination
West King Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.8 mi from High Point, NC · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from High Point, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hillsborough, NC
The final approach into Hillsborough, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.69 one way
$17.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.51 | $19.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.28 | $24.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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
Hillsborough, NC
Morning in Hillsborough on Saturday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 8m 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 High Point, NC to Hillsborough, NC covers 55.6 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 29, I 85 US 70 Connector. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.8 miles from High Point, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.69 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from High Point, NC to Hillsborough, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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