How far is Asheville, NC from Forest City, NC?
The driving distance from Asheville, NC to Forest City, NC is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Asheville and Forest City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Asheville and Forest City.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Marcellus Street
40 m · 8 sec · Marcellus Street
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3
Turn right onto Merrimon Avenue
32 m · 5 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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4
Turn straight
93 m · 11 sec
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5
Continue straight
967 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
26.2 mi · 32 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
12 mi · 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East, NC 108: Columbus, Rutherfordton
1433 ft · 19 sec · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
810 ft · 11 sec · Sergeant W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 20 min · Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on James A. Callahan Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · James A. Callahan Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 221 ALT: Forest City
1476 ft · 43 sec
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14
Turn left onto South Broadway Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
989 ft · 46 sec · East Main Street
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16
Turn right onto Cherry Mountain Street
17 m · 2 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Asheville and Forest City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Asheville and Sunny near Forest City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Asheville to Forest City?
The road trip is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Saluda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.6 miles from Asheville and 31.6 miles from Forest City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.83 one way or $17.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Asheville and Sunny near Forest City.
Stop Ideas Near Saluda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall of Tryon
City of Saluda
Town of Mills River
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saluda.
Greenville
Spartanburg
Clemson
Gastonia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Asheville and Forest City. Straight-line distance: 42.93 mi (69.09 km).
#1 Asheville
The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
| Population | 92,852 |
| Coordinates | 35.6009500, -82.5540200 |
| Altitude | 649 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest City
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,138 |
| Coordinates | 35.3340100, -81.8651000 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest City (-81.8651, 35.33401)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.83 | $17.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $9.88 | $19.75 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $10.65 | $21.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.