How far is Carolina Beach, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Carolina Beach, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.5 miles (330.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m 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 04h 38m.
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.
Human settlement in Scotland County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carolina Beach and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach and Gastonia.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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3
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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4
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
5.8 mi · 11 min · Carolina Beach Road
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5
Continue on South Front Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Front Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
843 ft · 20 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
3034 ft · 58 sec · Cape Fear Memorial Bridge
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8
Continue on Ocean Highway East
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East
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9
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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10
Continue on American Indian Highway
33.6 mi · 37 min · American Indian Highway
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11
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
20.2 mi · 23 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on G R Kindley Freeway
14.4 mi · 15 min · G R Kindley Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
11.6 mi · 15 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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14
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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15
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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16
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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18
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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19
Continue on East Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard
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20
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2247 ft · 35 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway
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22
Merge slight right onto Independence Boulevard
7.1 mi · 10 min · Independence Boulevard
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23
Continue on East Independence Expressway
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Independence Expressway
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24
Continue on East Independence Boulevard
1.1 km · 45 sec · East Independence Boulevard
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25
Merge slight left onto John Belk Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · John Belk Freeway
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26
Take the exit straight toward NC 27: Freedom Drive
2.5 mi · 4 min
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27
Take the ramp slight left
1678 ft · 41 sec
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28
Merge slight left
15.5 mi · 19 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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30
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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31
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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32
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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33
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carolina Beach and Gastonia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
60.1 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carolina Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carolina Beach to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
East Laurinburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.8 miles from Carolina Beach and 139.8 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.5 miles (330.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.1 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 7:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.85 one way or $71.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carolina Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near East Laurinburg
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 East Laurinburg.
Hamlet
Dillon
Southern Pines
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carolina Beach and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 205.49 mi (330.71 km).
#1 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gastonia
The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.
| Population | 77,640 |
| Coordinates | 35.2620800, -81.1873000 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Franklin Boulevard (-81.187301, 35.262154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $35.85 | $71.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $40.08 | $80.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $43.24 | $86.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $50.90 | $101.79 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.