How far is Clayton, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Clayton, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 203.8 miles (328 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m 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 04m.
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.
Town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Gastonia.
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1
Start on North Lombard Street
1999 ft · 1 min · North Lombard Street
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2
Turn right onto Hamby Street
130 m · 16 sec · Hamby Street
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3
Turn left onto Barbour Street
960 ft · 34 sec · Barbour Street
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4
Turn straight onto Clayton Boulevard
2.4 mi · 4 min · Clayton Boulevard
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5
Continue straight
4.3 mi · 6 min
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West: Raleigh
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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8
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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9
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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10
Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway
67 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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11
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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13
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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16
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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17
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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18
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton 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.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 01h 52m
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 Rain Showers leaving Clayton and Partly Sunny near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 203.8 miles (328 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.4 miles from Clayton and 103.4 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156 miles (251.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.48 one way or $56.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Clayton and Partly Sunny near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 156.02 mi (251.09 km).
#1 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| 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: 328 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.84 | $63.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.35 | $68.71 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $40.44 | $80.87 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.