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Trip from South Henderson, NC to Maine, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 44m

Distance

139.3 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 34m ★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown South Henderson, NC, NC

South Henderson, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Downtown Maine, NC, NC

Maine, NC

Mohan Nannapaneni

Trip Overview

The drive from South Henderson, NC to Maine, NC covers 139.3 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 85, I 40, Dabney Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81 miles on I 85. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.78 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

69.7 miles from South Henderson, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 81 mi 1h 31m
I 40 52.7 mi 1h 1m
Dabney Drive 2 mi 4m
US 158 1.8 mi 2m
Raleigh Road 0.6 mi 1m
Farmington Road 0.4 mi 1m
Miriam Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Oak Grove Church Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 81 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Henderson, NC and Maine, NC.

1

Start on Nicholas Street

27 ft · 8 sec · Nicholas Street
2

Turn sharp left onto Miriam Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Miriam Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 1 BUS

0.6 mi · 1 min · Raleigh Road
4

Turn left onto Dabney Drive

2.0 mi · 4 min · Dabney Drive
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
6

Merge onto I 85

39 mi · 42 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

42 mi · 48 min · I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

32 mi · 37 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward Farmington Road
12

Enter roundabout onto Farmington Road

248 ft · 7 sec · Farmington Road
13

Continue on Farmington Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Farmington Road
14

Enter roundabout onto Farmington Road

125 ft · 3 sec · Farmington Road
15

Continue on Farmington Road

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Farmington Road
16

Turn right onto US 158

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 158
17

Turn left onto Oak Grove Church Road

48 ft · 2 sec · Oak Grove Church Road
18

Arrive at destination

Oak Grove Church 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.7 miles from South Henderson, NC, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 31 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 69.7 miles or 1h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maine, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South Henderson, 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 South Henderson, NC

This is one driving day of about 139.3 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from South Henderson, 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 I 85 for about 81 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Graham, NC

70 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

Durham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Graham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.7 miles from South Henderson, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 85 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henderson, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12522046739

Visit website

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Henderson, North Carolina

1.4 mi

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oxford, North Carolina

1.9 mi

Taste of Soul Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12522046739

Visit website

Henderson George's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12524920090

Visit website

Verdigris Restaurant and Oxford Oaks Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $50 to $10 mile 10

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19196791002

Visit website

Uptown Bar & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Closed

+19193394174

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.4

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 109.5

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.7

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.7

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 69.7

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Henderson, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 10

Oxford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 39.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 69.7

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 119.4

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 39.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 49.8

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.4

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 99.5

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 69.7

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Miriam Avenue

Turn sharp left onto Miriam Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
41.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 85; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
84.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
91.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | I 40; US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
104.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.78 one way

$43.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $23.82 $47.64
premium $4.70 $25.78 $51.56
diesel $5.61 $30.76 $61.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.8 0 $14.63 $6.69
Efficient EV 34.8 0 $12.19 $5.57
EV Truck/SUV 55.7 0 $19.50 $8.92

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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

South Henderson, NC

Afternoon in South Henderson on Saturday

Local time

1:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Maine, NC

Afternoon in Maine on Saturday

Local time

1:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Graham, NC

70 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

14 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

2h 44m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

139.3 mi in 2h 44m, mostly highway — 81 mi of that is on I 85.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Miriam Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 139.3 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: near the start (Miriam Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 41.7 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from South Henderson, NC to Maine, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.

Statesville

104.3 mi in | ~2h 3m | via I 40

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 139.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Maine, 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: near the start (Miriam Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 41.7 miles (I 85; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Maine, NC before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Maine, NC to South Henderson, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

139.1 mi 2h 43m

Continue From Maine, NC

Harkers Island, NC 284.4 mi · 5h 52m Beaufort, NC 275 mi · 5h 37m Surf City, NC 251.7 mi · 5h 7m Boiling Springs, NC 242.9 mi · 5h 12m

More from South Henderson, NC

High Point, NC 106.1 mi · 2h 5m

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