The drive from Richlands, NC to High Point, NC covers 188.7 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NC 24, US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.8 miles on NC 24.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.51 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.4 miles from Richlands, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 188.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 51m highway drive covering 188.7 miles, with most of the trip on NC 24 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NC 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 188.7 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 113.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.5 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.7 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
113.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59B
Toward US 64 West: Pittsboro
8
171.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
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 197
Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...
8
171.7 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...
7
179.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 29 South
7
186.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richlands, NC and High Point, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
Pittsboro
112.7 mi in|~2h 14m
Durham
171.5 mi in|~3h 30m|via US 421
Charlotte
171.5 mi in|~3h 30m|via US 421
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NC 24
59.8 mi
1h 4m
US 64
32 mi
42m
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi
30m
Beulaville Highway
20.8 mi
29m
Triangle Expressway
19.5 mi
20m
US 29
7.1 mi
7m
South Kenansville Bypass
5.8 mi
8m
Greensboro Urban Loop
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richlands, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on South Wilmington Street
189 ft·10 sec·South Wilmington Street
2
Turn right onto West Franck Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·West Franck Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 258; NC 24
2.2 mi·3 min·Richlands Highway
4
Continue on US 258; NC 24
21 mi·29 min·Beulaville Highway
5
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
5.8 mi·8 min·South Kenansville Bypass
6
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
9
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi·2 min·Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on SR 1010
1.1 mi·1 min·Cleveland School Road
11
Turn right onto NC 50
0.5 mi·56 sec·Benson Road
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: ApexUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
19 mi·20 min·Triangle Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 64
32 mi·42 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
19
Merge onto US 421
26 mi·30 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 421
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 421
Exit 197Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, CharlotteUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
0.8 mi·1 min·US 421
Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.4 mi·2 min·I 85
Toward I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
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 94.4 miles from Richlands, NC, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.4 miles or 1h 55m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC
This is one driving day of about 188.7 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Richlands, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.4 mi from Richlands, NC
· 1h 55m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.51 one way
$59.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.26
$64.53
premium
$4.70
$34.92
$69.85
diesel
$5.61
$41.66
$83.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.6
0
$19.81
$9.06
Efficient EV
47.2
0
$16.51
$7.55
EV Truck/SUV
75.5
0
$26.42
$12.08
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richlands, NC
Evening
in Richlands on Friday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
High Point, NC
Evening
in High Point on Friday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
9 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
3h 51m 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 Richlands, NC to High Point, NC covers 188.7 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NC 24, US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.4 miles from Richlands, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.51 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 188.7 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 113.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.5 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.7 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richlands, NC and High Point, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
