Origin
Malpass Corner, NC
Morning in Malpass Corner on Saturday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malpass Corner, NC to Topsail Beach, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
53.8 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Malpass Corner, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Topsail Beach, NC
Eslam Mohammed Abdelmaksoud
Trip Overview
The drive from Malpass Corner, NC to Topsail Beach, NC covers 53.8 miles and takes about 1h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 421, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, Market Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16 miles on US 421. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 53.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 18m highway drive covering 53.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 421 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 16 miles on US 421.
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.
US 421 is the longest continuous segment at about 16 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 16 miles in.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Malpass Corner, NC to Topsail Beach, NC is easy. At 1h 18m with 68% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles (I 140 / John Jay Burney Jr Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 42.6 miles (NC 210): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
16 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville...
3
16.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 140 / John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
Merge onto I 140 / John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
42.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
NC 210
Turn right onto NC 210
Navigation decision point
4
46.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
NC 50; NC 210
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 210
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
47.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
NC 50 / South Topsail Drive
Enter roundabout onto NC 50 / South Topsail Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Malpass Corner, NC and Topsail Beach, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville and New Bern.
Jacksonville
16 mi in
|
~20m
New Bern
16 mi in
|
~20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 421 | 16 mi | 20m |
| John Jay Burney Jr Freeway | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Market Street | 9.1 mi | 14m |
| US 17 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| NC 210 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| North Anderson Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| South Shore Drive | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Topsail Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 421
— 16 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malpass Corner, NC and Topsail Beach, NC.
1
Start on US 421
16 mi
·
20 min
·
US 421
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 140 East: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
3
Merge onto I 140
12 mi
·
12 min
·
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
4
Continue on US 17
9.1 mi
·
14 min
·
Market Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 17; NC 210
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 17; NC 210
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto NC 210
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 210
7
Turn right onto NC 50; NC 210
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Roland Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto NC 50; NC 210
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
NC 50; NC 210
9
Continue on NC 50; NC 210
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NC 50; NC 210
10
Enter roundabout onto NC 50
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Topsail Drive
11
Continue on NC 50
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Topsail Drive
12
Continue on NC 50
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Shore Drive
13
Continue on NC 50
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
North Anderson Boulevard
14
Arrive at destination
NC 50
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.9 mi from Malpass Corner, NC · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 26.9 miles from Malpass Corner, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Topsail Beach, NC
The final approach into Topsail Beach, 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
$8.41 one way
$16.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.20 | $18.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.96 | $19.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.71 | $2.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Topsail Beach, NC
Morning in Topsail Beach on Saturday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Hampstead, NC
27 mi in
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 18m 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 Malpass Corner, NC to Topsail Beach, NC covers 53.8 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 421, John Jay Burney Jr Freeway, Market Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.9 miles from Malpass Corner, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.41 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.
The drive from Malpass Corner, NC to Topsail Beach, NC is easy. At 1h 18m with 68% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles (I 140 / John Jay Burney Jr Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 42.6 miles (NC 210): Navigation decision point.
Between Malpass Corner, NC and Topsail Beach, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville and New Bern.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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