Trip from Southport, NC to Greenville, NC

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

145.9 mi

235 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 2m ★

6 AM

3h 14m

8 AM

3h 38m

10 AM

3h 23m

12 PM

3h 20m

3 PM

3h 24m

5 PM

3h 37m

8 PM

3h 7m

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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Southport, NC

Michael Ken

Greenville, NC

Alex Borelli

Trip Overview

The drive from Southport, NC to Greenville, NC covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Michael Jordan Highway, NC 11, I 140 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.9 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.35 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

72.9 miles from Southport, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Southport, NC to Greenville, NC covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Michael Jordan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

119 ft 17 ft

Total Climb

123 ft

Total Descent

82 ft

Highest Point

119 ft

~93.8 mi in

Elevation Range

102 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 145.9 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

16.3 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East

Merge onto US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

19.8 mi into trip | ~29m in | I 140

Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern

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. Exit 39 Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...

39.5 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

39.8 mi into trip | ~51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh

71.5 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward NC 41: Wallace, Beulaville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NC 41: Wallace, Beulaville

Towns Along This Route

Between Southport, NC and Greenville, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington, Raleigh and Beulaville.

Jacksonville

19.8 mi in | ~29m | via I 140

New Bern

19.8 mi in | ~29m | via I 140

Wilmington

39.5 mi in | ~51m

Raleigh

39.8 mi in | ~51m

Beulaville

71.5 mi in | ~1h 26m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Michael Jordan Highway	30.9 mi	33m
NC 11	20.5 mi	28m
I 140	19.7 mi	22m
NC 41	17.7 mi	25m
Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard	17 mi	22m
George II Highway	11.7 mi	16m
NC 241	9.1 mi	12m
Old Pink Hill Road	4.5 mi	7m

Longest stretch: Michael Jordan Highway — 30.9 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southport, NC and Greenville, NC.

Start on NC 211

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Howe Street

Turn straight

381 ft · 13 sec

Turn slight right onto NC 87

3.3 mi · 5 min · River Road Southeast

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn straight onto NC 87

12 mi · 16 min · George II Highway

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto US 17; NC 87

3.5 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto I 140

20 mi · 22 min · I 140

Exit 39 Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh

Merge onto I 40

31 mi · 33 min · Michael Jordan Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward NC 41: Wallace, Beulaville

Turn right onto NC 41

18 mi · 25 min · NC 41

Continue on NC 241

9.1 mi · 12 min · NC 241

Turn right onto NC 11

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Kinston Boulevard

Continue on NC 11

12 mi · 17 min · NC 11

Continue on NC 11; NC 55

4.5 mi · 7 min · Old Pink Hill Road

Continue on NC 11; NC 55

0.5 mi · 1 min · East King Street

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto NC 11; NC 55

200 ft · 2 sec · Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Continue on NC 11; NC 55

17 mi · 22 min · Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto NC 11

8.2 mi · 11 min · NC 11

Toward NC 11 North: Winterville

Merge onto US 264 Alternate; NC 43

1.1 mi · 2 min · Greenville Boulevard Southwest

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left onto South Evans Street

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Evans Street

Turn right onto Reade Circle

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Reade Circle

Turn right onto East 5th Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East 5th Street

Turn left onto South Summit Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · South Summit Street

Arrive at destination

South Summit 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 72.9 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.9 miles or 1h 28m 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 36m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Southport, 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 Southport, NC

This is one driving day of about 145.9 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Southport, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 30.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.9 mi from Southport, NC · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Goldsboro, NC

73 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

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wilmington, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.9 miles from Southport, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Greenville, NC

The final approach into Greenville, 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 Greenville, NC.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 50.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.35 one way

$46.70 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$25.44	$50.88
premium	$4.78	$27.45	$54.89
diesel	$5.64	$32.41	$64.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.8	$15.32	$7.00
Efficient EV	36.5	$12.77	$5.84
EV Truck/SUV	58.4	$20.43	$9.34

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Southport, NC

Evening in Southport on Sunday

Local time

7:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Sunny

SE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Greenville, NC

Evening in Greenville on Sunday

Local time

7:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Partly Sunny

SE 8 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

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

7 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 14m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Southport, NC to Greenville, NC covers 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Michael Jordan Highway, NC 11, I 140. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.9 miles from Southport, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.35 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.

Between Southport, NC and Greenville, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington, Raleigh and Beulaville.

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Return Trip

Greenville, NC to Southport, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

145.7 mi 3h 14m

Explore more options from Southport, NC or browse trips ending in Greenville, NC.

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Trip from Southport, NC to Greenville, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Greenville, NC

National Parks Near This Route

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Southport, NC

Greenville, NC

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 14m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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