How far is Asheville, NC from Lowell, NC?

The driving distance from Asheville, NC to Lowell, NC is about 108.6 miles (174.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.9 miles (136.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 25m 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
108.56 mi
02h 12m
Flight
84.87 mi
136.59 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
84.87 mi
Kilometers
136.59 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.56 mi
Kilometers
174.71 km
Drive Time
02h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 2:56 AM EDT
Return by in Asheville
Thu, Apr 23, 5:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Asheville
2026-04-23T00:43
Arrive Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 2:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:04 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
Rutherfordton
NC

Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

From Asheville
54.2 mi
01h 06m
To Lowell
54.3 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph NNW
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Asheville and Lowell.

  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

    6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg

    572 ft · 8 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 56 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    12.4 mi · 15 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Cramerton, Lowell

    1077 ft · 43 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3150 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    685 ft · 14 sec · West 1st Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Billy Graham Freeway
27.5 mi · 25%
Sgt W Dean Arledge Memorial Highway
18.1 mi · 17%
James A. Callahan Highway
15.2 mi · 14%
Andrew Jackson Highway
13.8 mi · 13%
West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 11%
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
12.4 mi · 11%
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 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.7 mi
84.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rutherfordton
01h 06m from Asheville
Leave By
2:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Asheville and Sunny near Lowell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Asheville to Lowell?

The road trip is about 108.6 miles (174.7 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?

Rutherfordton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.2 miles from Asheville and 54.3 miles from Lowell.

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

The direct path is about 84.9 miles (136.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 2:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.17 one way or $30.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Asheville and Sunny near Lowell.

Stop Ideas Near Rutherfordton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rutherfordton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Spartanburg

46 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Greenville

71 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Gastonia

73 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Charlotte

104 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Asheville and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 84.87 mi (136.59 km).

Asheville

#1 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Lowell

#2 Lowell

City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States

Population3,744
Coordinates35.2679200, -81.1028500
Altitude249
CountryUnited States
Start: Asheville (-82.55402, 35.60095)
End: Lowell (-81.10285, 35.26792)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 175 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.83 gal
14.5 L · about $15.17
Round trip
$30.34
7.66 gal · 29 L
Estimated CO2
34 kg one way
Round trip: 68.1 kg / 150 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $15.17 $30.34
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.96 $33.93
Premium $4.78 $18.30 $36.60
Diesel $5.62 $21.54 $43.08

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

There is no time difference between Asheville and Lowell. The current time is 00:43:50.

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.