How far is Clinton, NC from Gastonia, NC?

The driving distance from Clinton, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 76.2 miles (122.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 07m 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
76.22 mi
01h 33m
Flight
53.31 mi
85.79 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clinton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
53.31 mi
Kilometers
85.79 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.22 mi
Kilometers
122.67 km
Drive Time
01h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gastonia
Wed, Apr 15, 2:00 PM EDT
Return by in Clinton
Wed, Apr 15, 3:34 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clinton
2026-04-15T12:26
Arrive Gastonia
Wed, Apr 15, 2:00 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clinton
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
Kannapolis
NC

The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

From Clinton
37.3 mi
00h 46m
To Gastonia
39 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph SW
Destination
60°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clinton and Gastonia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton and Gastonia.

  1. 1

    Start on Point Road

    4.1 mi · 16 min · Point Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Cherry Hill Road

    2353 ft · 1 min · Cherry Hill Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left

    6.4 mi · 10 min

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Jake Alexander Boulevard North

    6 mi · 10 min · Jake Alexander Boulevard North

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward I 85 South, US 601 South: Charlotte

    47 mi · 55 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    8.4 mi · 11 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia

    858 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue

    3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on East Long Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Broad Street

    1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard

    2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clinton and Gastonia.

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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 South
47 mi · 62%
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
8.42 mi · 11%
Jake Alexander Boulevard North
6.05 mi · 8%
Point Road
4.06 mi · 5%
East Long Avenue
0.7 mi · 1%
East Ozark Avenue
0.61 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 South

Take the exit right toward I 85 South, US 601 South: Charlotte

47 mi · 00h 55m

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
01h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.9 mi
53.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kannapolis
00h 46m from Clinton
Leave By
3:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clinton and Partly Cloudy near Gastonia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clinton to Gastonia?

The road trip is about 76.2 miles (122.7 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?

Kannapolis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Clinton and 39 miles from Gastonia.

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

The direct path is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 3:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.66 one way or $21.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clinton and Partly Cloudy near Gastonia.

Stop Ideas Near Kannapolis

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kannapolis, 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 Kannapolis.

RAIL

Kannapolis

2 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Salisbury

25 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

Charlotte

33 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Lexington

50 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clinton and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 53.31 mi (85.79 km).

Clinton

#1 Clinton

City in Davie County, North Carolina, United States

Population8,332
Coordinates35.7568100, -80.4600600
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Gastonia

#2 Gastonia

The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.

Population77,640
Coordinates35.2620800, -81.1873000
Altitude245
CountryUnited States
Start: Point Road (-80.45956, 35.758108)
End: West Franklin Boulevard (-81.187301, 35.262154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.69 gal
10.18 L · about $10.66
Round trip
$21.31
5.38 gal · 20.36 L
Estimated CO2
23.9 kg one way
Round trip: 47.8 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.66 $21.31
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.91 $23.83
Premium $4.78 $12.85 $25.71
Diesel $5.62 $15.13 $30.26

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Clinton and Gastonia. The current time is 12:26:56.

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.