Origin
Wanchese, NC
Afternoon in Wanchese on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wanchese, NC to High Point, NC
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
277.4 mi
446 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Wanchese, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Traveling from the coastal community of Wanchese to the inland hub of High Point covers 277.4 miles across North Carolina. You should anticipate roughly 5 hours and 37 minutes of travel time, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. By utilizing a combination of US 64, US 13, and I-85, you will transition from the Southeast coastal region toward the interior of the state. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel is a helpful starting point for your trip planning. Because this route is straightforward and efficiency-focused, you likely will not need to split it into two days unless you prefer a slower pace.
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
138.7 miles from Wanchese, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive relies on major thoroughfares for 90% of the journey, ensuring a consistent pace. You will find yourself navigating long stretches of pavement, with the longest uninterrupted segment spanning 67.3 miles on US 64. Expect a blend of regional highway travel that eventually feeds into the busier interstate corridors near your destination. Behind the wheel, the experience feels functional and direct rather than winding or technical. As you move away from the coast, the road environment shifts from open stretches to the more structured, high-traffic flow typical of major North Carolina transit routes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.3 miles in near US 64.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 277.4 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 22.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 263 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
22.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
175.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
263 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
|
US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
7
268.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m 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
275.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 67.3 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 13 | 58.3 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 85 | 42.3 mi | 48m |
| US 64 Bypass | 27.8 mi | 29m |
| US 64 BYP | 18.4 mi | 24m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| US 29 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| South Miami Boulevard | 9.3 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wanchese, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Old Schoolhouse Road
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
Old Schoolhouse Road
2
Continue on Old Schoolhouse Road
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Old Schoolhouse Road
3
Turn right onto SR 1168
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Wharf Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto NC 345
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Mill Landing Road
5
Turn left onto US 64 BYP
18 mi
·
24 min
·
US 64 BYP
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 13; US 17
8
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 13; US 64
9
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi
·
29 min
·
US 64 Bypass
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
11
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
12
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Rolesville Road
Use the none lane.
13
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Marks Creek Road
14
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Horton Road
15
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
17
Merge onto I 540
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Raleigh Highway
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi
·
48 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29 South
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward South Main Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on I-85 as you approach High Point. Since the total duration is under six hours, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay refreshed and alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches on US 64, as service availability can fluctuate between rural segments and larger highway interchanges. Because this route is highly efficient, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon traffic. Prioritizing a single, well-timed break will make the 277.4-mile journey feel significantly less taxing.
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 138.7 miles from Wanchese, NC, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.7 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 38m
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 Wanchese, 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 Wanchese, NC
This is one driving day of about 277.4 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wanchese, 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 US 64 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.7 mi from Wanchese, NC · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.7 miles from Wanchese, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.
Arriving in High Point, NC
The final approach into High Point, 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 High Point, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.39 one way
$88.79 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $48.37 | $96.74 |
| premium | $4.78 | $52.18 | $104.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.63 | $123.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.2 | 1 | $29.13 | $13.32 |
| Efficient EV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.27 | $11.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111 | 1 | $38.84 | $17.75 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
High Point, NC
Afternoon in High Point on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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
5h 37m 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 Wanchese, NC to High Point, NC covers 277.4 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, US 13, I 85. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.7 miles from Wanchese, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.39 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 20 significant decision points across 277.4 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 22.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 263 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Wanchese, NC to High Point, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From High Point, NC
More from Wanchese, NC
More trips to High Point, NC
Explore more options from Wanchese, NC or browse trips ending in High Point, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Wanchese, NC or High Point, NC on MapSof.net.