How far is Asheville, NC from Oak Ridge, NC?
The driving distance from Asheville, NC to Oak Ridge, NC is about 161.1 miles (259.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Asheville and Oak Ridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Asheville and Oak Ridge.
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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
634 ft · 33 sec · Merrimon Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
786 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Billy Graham Freeway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway
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7
Merge slight left
134 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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8
Take the exit slight left toward US 421 South: Salem Parkway
2800 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway
7.7 mi · 10 min · Salem Parkway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Salem Parkway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Salem Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Kernersville, South Main Street
987 ft · 24 sec
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12
Keep slight left
44 m · 6 sec
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13
Turn left onto South Main Street
2692 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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14
Turn left onto South Cherry Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Cherry Street
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15
Continue on North Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
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16
Continue on Oak Ridge Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Road
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17
Turn right onto State Highway 68
662 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 68
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18
Continue on State Highway 68
128 m · 16 sec · State Highway 68
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19
Turn slight right
48 m · 6 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Asheville and Oak Ridge.
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
Merge slight left
134 mi · 02h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Asheville and Patchy Fog near Oak Ridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Asheville to Oak Ridge?
The road trip is about 161.1 miles (259.3 km) and usually takes 03h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Conover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Asheville and 80.7 miles from Oak Ridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms around Asheville and Patchy Fog near Oak Ridge.
Stop Ideas Near Conover
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Conover.
Gastonia
Kannapolis
Charlotte
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Asheville and Oak Ridge. Straight-line distance: 148.93 mi (239.68 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 Oak Ridge
Town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,126 |
| Coordinates | 36.1734700, -79.9889300 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oak Ridge (-79.98893, 36.17347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.16 | $50.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.14 | $54.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.94 | $63.89 |
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 · May 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.