Origin
Maine, NC
Evening in Maine on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maine, NC to Gamewell, NC
Data updated 58 minutes ago
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
71.6 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maine, NC
Mohan Nannapaneni
Gamewell, NC
C k
Trip Overview
The drive from Maine, NC to Gamewell, NC covers 71.6 miles and takes about 1h 32m 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 321, Southwest Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.9 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
35.8 miles from Maine, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 32m highway drive covering 71.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 321. The longest continuous stretch is about 45.9 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 45.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 321. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 158.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 158): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 158
Turn left onto US 158
Navigation decision point
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
49.8 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 123B-A
Toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
5
50 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 321 North: Lenoir
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 321 North: Lenoir
5
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
US 321
Merge onto US 321
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maine, NC and Gamewell, NC, road signs point toward Lincolnton and Hickory.
Lincolnton
49.8 mi in
|
~58m
Hickory
49.8 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 45.9 mi | 52m |
| US 321 | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Southwest Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Morganton Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Country Lane | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Yadkinville Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 158 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Gamewell School Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 45.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maine, NC and Gamewell, NC.
1
Start on Oak Grove Church Road
48 ft
·
8 sec
·
Oak Grove Church Road
2
Turn left onto US 158
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 158
3
Turn right onto Country Lane
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Country Lane
4
Turn right onto US 601
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Yadkinville Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 123B-A
Toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 321 North: Lenoir
9
Merge onto US 321
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 321
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
11
Continue on Southwest Boulevard
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Boulevard
12
Turn left onto US 64; NC 18
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Morganton Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Gamewell School Road
60 ft
·
2 sec
·
Gamewell School Road
14
Arrive at destination
Gamewell School Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.8 miles from Maine, NC, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.9 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 71.6 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.8 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gamewell, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maine, 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 Maine, NC
This is one driving day of about 71.6 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maine, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 45.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.8 mi from Maine, NC · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 71.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.8 miles from Maine, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gamewell, NC
The final approach into Gamewell, 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 Gamewell, 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
$11.20 one way
$22.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.24 | $24.48 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.25 | $26.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.81 | $31.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.26 | $2.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.02 | $4.58 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Gamewell, NC
Evening in Gamewell on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
1h 32m 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 Maine, NC to Gamewell, NC covers 71.6 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 321, Southwest Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.8 miles from Maine, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.20 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 71.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 158): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Maine, NC and Gamewell, NC, road signs point toward Lincolnton and Hickory.
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