The drive from Swansboro, NC to High Point, NC covers 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 39m 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 mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.8 miles on NC 24.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.58 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
110.6 miles from Swansboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Swansboro, NC to High Point, NC covers 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 39m, 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 38 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 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 145.7 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 30 significant decision points across 221.1 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 145.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.9 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
145.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
203.9 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
204.1 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
219.2 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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 Swansboro, NC and High Point, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
Pittsboro
145.1 mi in|~3h 2m
Durham
203.9 mi in|~4h 18m|via US 421
Charlotte
203.9 mi in|~4h 18m|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
Triangle Expressway
19.5 mi
20m
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi
21m
Freedom Way
9.3 mi
11m
US 29
7.1 mi
7m
Richlands Highway
6.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swansboro, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on South Water Street
38 ft·7 sec·South Water Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto NC 24
2.7 mi·5 min·West Corbett Avenue
4
Continue on NC 24
9.3 mi·11 min·Freedom Way
5
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Lejeune Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Lejeune Boulevard
7
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Johnson Boulevard
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Marine Boulevard
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·Richlands Highway
10
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi·7 min·Richlands Highway
11
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi·21 min·Catherine Lake Road
12
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi·8 min·Jackson Store Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi·5 min·Hallsville Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi·6 min·NC 50
15
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi·1 min·D S Williams Road
16
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi·5 min·South Kenansville Bypass
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·NC 24
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
20
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi·2 min·Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on SR 1010
1.1 mi·1 min·Cleveland School Road
22
Turn right onto NC 50
0.5 mi·56 sec·Benson Road
Use the right lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: ApexUse the left lane.
24
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
19 mi·20 min·Triangle Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 59A-BToward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 59BToward US 64 West: PittsboroUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto US 64
32 mi·42 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
30
Merge onto US 421
26 mi·30 min·Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
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.
32
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.
33
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi·5 min·Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.4 mi·2 min·I 85
Toward I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi·7 min·US 29
Toward US 29 SouthUse the slight right lane.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward South Main Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
38
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 110.6 miles from Swansboro, NC, or about 2h 22m 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 49 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 22m 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 50m
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 Swansboro, 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 Swansboro, NC
This is one driving day of about 221.1 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Swansboro, 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 110.6 mi from Swansboro, NC
· 2h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.58 one way
$69.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$37.80
$75.61
premium
$4.70
$40.92
$81.84
diesel
$5.61
$48.82
$97.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.22
$10.61
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Swansboro, NC
Morning
in Swansboro on Friday
Local time
7:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
High Point, NC
Morning
in High Point on Friday
Local time
7:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph12% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Pine Level, NC
111 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
8 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
4h 39m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Swansboro, NC to High Point, NC covers 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 39m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.6 miles from Swansboro, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 221.1 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 145.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.9 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.1 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Swansboro, NC and High Point, NC, road signs point toward Pittsboro, Durham and Charlotte.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
