Origin
New Bern, NC
Morning in New Bern on Wednesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Bern, NC to Jacksonville, NC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
52m
Distance
40.1 mi
65 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Bern, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Jacksonville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward trip through the Southeast, the 40.1-mile journey from New Bern to Jacksonville, NC, is a perfect candidate. You can expect to spend about 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a minimal fuel budget of roughly $6, it is an incredibly economical route to manage. You will primarily navigate via US 17, North Marine Boulevard, and Queen Street throughout the drive. Because the trip is short and efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around your own needs rather than worrying about travel fatigue. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two North Carolina cities.
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
20.1 miles from New Bern, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 89% of the trip spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 35.8 miles on US 17. The route maintains a consistent character, moving you smoothly from the historic feel of New Bern into the urban layout of Jacksonville. While it lacks the stop-and-start nature of local backroads, you should remain alert as the highway transitions into the local street infrastructure of North Marine Boulevard. Expect a predictable, linear experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and North Marine Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near NC 55 / 1st Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 52m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (NC 55 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 17; US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
NC 55 / 1st Street
Turn left onto NC 55 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
3
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 17; US 70
Merge onto US 17; US 70
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
4
37.2 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 17 / North Marine Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 / North Marine Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 35.8 mi | 43m |
| North Marine Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| Queen Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Broad Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Country Club Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Marine Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 35.8 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Bern, NC and Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on Broad Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Broad Street
2
Turn slight left onto Queen Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Queen Street
3
Turn left onto NC 55
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
1st Street
4
Continue on NC 55
382 ft
·
10 sec
·
Country Club Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
6
Merge onto US 17; US 70
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 17; US 70
7
Take the exit onto US 17
30 mi
·
37 min
·
US 17
Toward US 17 South: Jacksonville
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Marine Boulevard
9
Continue on US 17 Business
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Marine Boulevard
10
Arrive at destination
US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 52-minute drive, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will always make for a smoother transition into Jacksonville. There are zero planned stops on this route, so ensure your tank is ready for the 40.1-mile run before you pull out of New Bern. Because the majority of your time is spent on US 17, keep a close watch on your speed as you pass through changing zones. If you are prone to restlessness, remember that the lack of mandatory stops means you should handle any rest or refreshment needs before you hit the main highway stretch. Use your $6 fuel budget as a baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for local navigation once you arrive at your destination.
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 20.1 miles from New Bern, NC, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.8 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 40.1 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.1 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC
This is one driving day of about 40.1 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Bern, 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 US 17 for about 35.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.1 mi from New Bern, NC · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from New Bern, 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
$6.27 one way
$12.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.86 | $13.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.42 | $14.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.85 | $17.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.57 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Jacksonville, NC
Morning in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
52m 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 New Bern, NC to Jacksonville, NC covers 40.1 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, North Marine Boulevard, Queen 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 20.1 miles from New Bern, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.27 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 is a straightforward 52m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (NC 55 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 17; US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from New Bern, NC to Jacksonville, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Jacksonville, NC
More trips to Jacksonville, NC
Explore more options from New Bern, NC or browse trips ending in Jacksonville, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for New Bern, NC or Jacksonville, NC on MapSof.net.