Origin
Shallotte, NC
Afternoon in Shallotte on Saturday
Local time
1:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shallotte, NC to Gastonia, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
209.2 mi
337 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shallotte, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Gastonia, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Shallotte, NC to Gastonia, NC covers 209.2 miles and takes about 4h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Andrew Jackson Highway, American Indian Highway, Monroe Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.7 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.71 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
104.6 miles from Shallotte, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 48.7 mi | 56m |
| American Indian Highway | 33.6 mi | 36m |
| Monroe Expressway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| New Britton Highway East | 17 mi | 29m |
| I 85 | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| G R Kindley Freeway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| Whiteville Road Northwest | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Andrew Jackson Highway
— 48.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shallotte, NC and Gastonia, NC.
1
Start on Mulberry Street
75 ft
·
5 sec
·
Mulberry Street
2
Turn right onto US 17 Business; NC 130
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto NC 130
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Whiteville Road Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on NC 130
17 mi
·
29 min
·
New Britton Highway East
5
Continue on NC 130
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Vinson Boulevard
6
Continue on NC 130
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Love Mill Road
7
Turn right onto US 701 Bypass; NC 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South J K Powell Boulevard
8
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
South Powell Boulevard
9
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Jk Powell Boulevard
10
Continue on US 701 Bypass; NC 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Powell Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
12
Merge onto US 74; US 76
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
13
Continue on US 74; NC 130
34 mi
·
36 min
·
American Indian Highway
14
Continue on US 74
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74
14 mi
·
15 min
·
G R Kindley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 74
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Caswell Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
19
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
21
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
22
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Marshville Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 74
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Monroe Expressway
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 74
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Independence Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 74
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Independence Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 74; NC 27
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Independence Boulevard
28
Merge onto I 277; US 74; NC 16; NC 27
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John Belk Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit onto NC 27
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NC 27
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Use the left lane.
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Use the left lane.
31
Merge onto I 85
15 mi
·
19 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto NC 7
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ozark Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on NC 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Long Avenue
35
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn right onto US 29; US 74; NC 274
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
37
Arrive at destination
US 29; US 74; NC 274
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 104.6 miles from Shallotte, NC, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 46 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 14m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gastonia, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shallotte, 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 Shallotte, NC
This is one driving day of about 209.2 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Shallotte, 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 Andrew Jackson Highway for about 48.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.6 miles from Shallotte, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 107.2 and 207 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
107.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
121.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway toward US 74 West: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306B
Toward US 74 West: Monroe
7
154.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass West: Charlotte
7
188.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
|
NC 27
Take the exit onto NC 27 toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
7
207 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 19
Toward NC 7: East Gastonia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.71 one way
$65.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.77 | $71.54 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.72 | $77.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.19 | $92.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Gastonia, NC
Afternoon in Gastonia on Saturday
Local time
1:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Rockingham, NC
105 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
209.2 mi in 4h 31m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.7 mi on Andrew Jackson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.2 miles in near US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 209.2 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 107.2 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.6 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.8 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
803 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
912 ft
Total Descent
124 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
~209.2 mi in
Elevation Range
788 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 209.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.7 miles on Andrew Jackson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gastonia, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.2 miles (US 74 / G R Kindley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.6 miles (US 74 / Andrew Jackson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.8 miles (US 74 BYP / Monroe Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Gastonia, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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