Origin
High Point, NC
Afternoon in High Point on Saturday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from High Point, NC to Surf City, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
215.9 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 14m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surf City, NC
Kyle Miller
Trip Overview
The drive from High Point, NC to Surf City, NC covers 215.9 miles and takes about 4h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, NC 50, US 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.76 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
108 miles from High Point, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 60.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| NC 50 | 36.2 mi | 52m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| US 421 | 26.5 mi | 32m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| Cypress Creek Road | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 29 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| I 85 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Surf City, 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 left at fork onto I 85
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 421
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
13
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
16
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
17
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
18
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
19
Turn right onto NC 50
11 mi
·
14 min
·
NC 50
20
Continue on NC 41; NC 50
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
NC 41; NC 50
21
Turn right onto NC 50
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 50
22
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Cypress Creek Road
23
Turn left onto Sycamore Springs Road
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sycamore Springs Road
24
Continue on Old Maple Hill Road North
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Maple Hill Road North
25
Turn left onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NC 50
26
Turn right onto NC 50
17 mi
·
24 min
·
NC 50
27
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 210
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
NC 50; NC 210
28
Continue on NC 50; NC 210
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NC 50; NC 210
29
Enter roundabout onto NC 210
225 ft
·
4 sec
·
North New River Drive
30
Continue on NC 210
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
North New River Drive
31
Continue on North New River Drive
202 ft
·
10 sec
·
North New River Drive
32
Turn left onto Roland Avenue
109 ft
·
12 sec
·
Roland Avenue
33
Continue on Roland Avenue
76 ft
·
1 sec
·
Roland Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Roland Avenue
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 108 miles from High Point, NC, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 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 47 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108 miles or 2h 11m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surf City, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving High Point, 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 High Point, NC
This is one driving day of about 215.9 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from High Point, 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 60.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108 miles from High Point, 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 60.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 98.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward US 421: Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
8
16.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward US 421 South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 421 South: Sanford
8
42.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
8
98.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.76 one way
$67.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $36.92 | $73.83 |
| premium | $4.70 | $39.96 | $79.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.67 | $10.36 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.23 | $13.82 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Surf City, NC
Afternoon in Surf City on Saturday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
4 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 27m 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?
215.9 mi in 4h 27m, mostly highway — 60.4 mi of that is on I 40.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near I 85.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 215.9 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 10.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
922 ft
4 ft
Total Climb
13 ft
Total Descent
931 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
Elevation Range
918 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Surf City, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
Pittsboro
42.8 mi in
|
~52m
Wilmington
100.6 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 40
Kenansville
160.2 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via NC 24
About the Cities
Starting in High Point, NC
Full guide →High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.
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 27m. Total distance: 215.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on I 40. 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 Surf City, 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: at 10.5 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Surf City, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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