Origin
King, NC
Night in King on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from King, NC to Jacksonville, NC
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
230.6 mi
371 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 30m
★
6 AM
4h 43m
8 AM
5h 10m
10 AM
4h 53m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 54m
5 PM
5h 9m
8 PM
4h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
King, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Jacksonville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from King, NC to Jacksonville, NC covers 230.6 miles and takes about 4h 43m 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 421, US 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.06 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
115.3 miles from King, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 43m highway drive covering 230.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 421. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.4 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 30 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 60.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near NC 74.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 230.6 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 5.8 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
NC 74
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward NC 74 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 74 East
8
31.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durh...
8
44.1 mi into trip
|
~54m 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
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
126.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between King, NC and Jacksonville, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
Durham
31.6 mi in
|
~40m
|
via US 421
Pittsboro
70.4 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Wilmington
128.2 mi in
|
~2h 37m
|
via I 40
Kenansville
187.7 mi in
|
~3h 41m
|
via NC 24
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 60.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 421 | 38.8 mi | 46m |
| US 64 | 32 mi | 42m |
| Triangle Expressway | 22 mi | 23m |
| NC 111 | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| NC 74 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Salem Parkway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
3
Merge onto US 52
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
13 mi
·
15 min
·
NC 74
Toward NC 74 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53B
Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
6
Merge onto US 421; NC 150
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 421
Toward I 73 South, US 421 South: Asheboro, Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 421
Exit 126
Toward US 421: Sanford
Use the slight right lane.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward US 64: Siler City, Pittsboro
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Triangle Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
16
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
17
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
19
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
20
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
21
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
22
Turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
23
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
24
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
NC 111
26
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
27
Turn left
433 ft
·
8 sec
28
Turn slight right onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
29
Continue on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marine Boulevard
30
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
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 115.3 miles from King, NC, or about 2h 23m 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 23m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving King, 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 King, NC
This is one driving day of about 230.6 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from King, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.3 mi from King, NC · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 119.3 miles from King, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jacksonville, NC
The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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
$36.06 one way
$72.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $39.43 | $78.86 |
| premium | $4.70 | $42.68 | $85.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.91 | $101.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.21 | $11.07 |
| Efficient EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.18 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.28 | $14.76 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Jacksonville, NC
Night in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
28 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 43m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from King, NC to Jacksonville, NC covers 230.6 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 421, US 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.3 miles from King, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 26 significant decision points across 230.6 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 5.8 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between King, NC and Jacksonville, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Pittsboro, Wilmington and Kenansville.
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