How far is Asheville, NC from Bessemer City, NC?

The driving distance from Asheville, NC to Bessemer City, NC is about 98 miles (157.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.8 miles (120.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
97.96 mi
02h 01m
Flight
74.75 mi
120.3 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Asheville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.75 mi
Kilometers
120.3 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.96 mi
Kilometers
157.65 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bessemer City
Sun, Apr 19, 4:42 AM EDT
Return by in Asheville
Sun, Apr 19, 6:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Asheville
2026-04-19T02:41
Arrive Bessemer City
Sun, Apr 19, 4:42 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Asheville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Columbus
NC

Town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States

From Asheville
49 mi
01h 00m
To Bessemer City
49 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Asheville and Bessemer City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Asheville and Bessemer City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Marcellus Street

    40 m · 8 sec · Marcellus Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Merrimon Avenue

    32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn straight

    93 m · 11 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    967 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway

    26.2 mi · 32 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton

    1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

    810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

    17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on James A. Callahan Highway

    15.2 mi · 17 min · James A. Callahan Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard

    12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 161: Bessemer City

    1090 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on NC 161 North: Bessemer City

    32 m · 3 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Cleveland Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    54 m · 3 sec · South 13th Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight right

    45 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto West Virginia Avenue

    564 ft · 17 sec · West Virginia Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto North 12th Street

    13 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Asheville and Bessemer City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Billy Graham Freeway
27.5 mi · 28%
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18.1 mi · 18%
James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 15%
Andrew Jackson Highway
13.8 mi · 14%
West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 13%
Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
5.71 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Billy Graham Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway

26.2 mi · 00h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.2 mi
74.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbus
01h 00m from Asheville
Leave By
2:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Asheville and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Asheville to Bessemer City?

The road trip is about 98 miles (157.7 km) and usually takes 02h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49 miles from Asheville and 49 miles from Bessemer City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 74.8 miles (120.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.71 one way or $27.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Asheville and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.

Stop Ideas Near Columbus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Columbus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall of Tryon
Scenic stop 10.9 mi away

Town Hall of Tryon

Tryon , NC
301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Business park,Park
Town of Rutherfordton
Meeting point 8.4 mi away

Town of Rutherfordton

Rutherfordton , NC
129 N Main St, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews Local government office,City Hall
Town of Lake Lure, Lake Operations Office
Nearby stop 11.5 mi away

Town of Lake Lure, Lake Operations Office

Lake Lure , NC
197 Buffalo Shoals Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Columbus.

RAIL

Spartanburg

41 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Greenville

48 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Clemson

85 mi away
Calhoun Memorial Hwy and College Ave.
RAIL

Gastonia

94 mi away
350 Hancock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Asheville and Bessemer City. Straight-line distance: 74.75 mi (120.3 km).

Asheville

#1 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Bessemer City

#2 Bessemer City

City in North Carolina, United States

Population5,577
Coordinates35.2848600, -81.2839700
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Start: Asheville (-82.55402, 35.60095)
End: Bessemer City (-81.28397, 35.28486)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 158 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.46 gal
13.08 L · about $13.71
Round trip
$27.41
6.92 gal · 26.16 L
Estimated CO2
30.7 kg one way
Round trip: 61.5 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $13.71 $27.41
Mid-grade $4.43 $15.32 $30.65
Premium $4.78 $16.53 $33.06
Diesel $5.62 $19.46 $38.92

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Asheville and Bessemer City. The current time is 02:41:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.