Origin
High Point, NC
Afternoon in High Point on Thursday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from High Point, NC to Thurmond, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
69.6 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thurmond, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
This 69.6-mile drive from High Point, North Carolina to Thurmond, North Carolina takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily use US 421, I-77, and I-74, with 91% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $11, which is quite manageable for a single day. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey through familiar territory. Given its short duration, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when you wish and enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 69.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, as 91% of the route utilizes major roadways like US 421, I-77, and I-74. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 27.5 miles on US 421, offering a good period of consistent travel. While the profile is largely highway, the transition between these main roads will shape the driving experience, moving you efficiently from one point to the next without significant deviations onto slower, local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 421 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.5 miles in near I 74.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 74
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
8
21.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
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 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
7
21.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
7
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North: Elkin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265A
Toward I 77 North: Elkin
8
60 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 21 BYP
Keep slight left at fork onto US 21 BYP toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between High Point, NC and Thurmond, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Yadkinville and Roaring Gap.
Statesville
13.5 mi in
|
~20m
|
via I 74
Yadkinville
21.6 mi in
|
~30m
Roaring Gap
60 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via US 21 BYP
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 421 | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| I 77 | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| I 74 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| US 21 BYP | 9 mi | 12m |
| I 40 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| South Main Street | 3.9 mi | 8m |
| Thurmond Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Center Church Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 421
— 27.5 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Thurmond, NC.
1
Start on South Main Street
3.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Merge onto I 74
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 74
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
5
Merge onto I 40
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 421
28 mi
·
31 min
·
US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 265A
Toward I 77 North: Elkin
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 77
9.7 mi
·
10 min
·
I 77
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 21 BYP
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
US 21 BYP
Toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Center Church Road
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Center Church Road
13
Turn left onto Thurmond Road
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Thurmond Road
14
Turn right onto Billings Lane
65 ft
·
2 sec
·
Billings Lane
15
Arrive at destination
Billings Lane
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.8 mi from High Point, NC · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.8 miles from High Point, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Thurmond, NC
The final approach into Thurmond, 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
$10.88 one way
$21.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.90 | $23.80 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.88 | $25.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.37 | $30.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.31 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.74 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Thurmond, NC
Afternoon in Thurmond on Thursday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
22 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
1h 29m 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 Thurmond, NC covers 69.6 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 421, I 77, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.8 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 $10.88 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 69.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 13.5 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between High Point, NC and Thurmond, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Yadkinville and Roaring Gap.
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