How far is Clayton, NC from Rocky Mount, NC?
The driving distance from Clayton, NC to Rocky Mount, NC is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 09m.
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 Franklin County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Rocky Mount.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Rocky Mount.
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1
Start on North Lombard Street
26 m · 8 sec · North Lombard Street
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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3
Continue on Old US Highway 70 West
2893 ft · 57 sec · Old US Highway 70 West
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4
Turn right onto Shotwell Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Shotwell Road
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5
Continue on Mial Plantation Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Mial Plantation Road
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6
Turn left onto Smithfield Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Smithfield Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Wilson, Rocky Mount
1418 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left
10.5 mi · 11 min
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9
Keep slight left
33.3 mi · 36 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
1089 ft · 27 sec
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11
Turn left onto Atlantic Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Tarboro Street
979 ft · 19 sec · Tarboro Street
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13
Turn slight right onto Cokey Road
68 m · 6 sec · Cokey Road
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cokey Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton and Rocky Mount.
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 87 North
Keep slight left
33.3 mi · 00h 36m
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 Clayton and Sunny near Rocky Mount.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Rocky Mount?
The road trip is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Bunn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.8 miles from Clayton and 27.8 miles from Rocky Mount.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 4:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.76 one way or $15.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clayton and Sunny near Rocky Mount.
Stop Ideas Near Bunn
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 Bunn.
Raleigh Union Station
Wilson
Rocky Mount
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Rocky Mount. Straight-line distance: 42.27 mi (68.03 km).
#1 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rocky Mount
The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
| Population | 53,689 |
| Coordinates | 35.9382100, -77.7905300 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rocky Mount (-77.79053, 35.93821)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.76 | $15.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.68 | $17.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.36 | $18.73 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.02 | $22.05 |
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.