How far is Elizabeth City, NC from Gastonia, NC?

The driving distance from Elizabeth City, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 349.1 miles (561.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 285.7 miles (459.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
349.07 mi
05h 27m
Flight
285.71 mi
459.8 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elizabeth City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
285.71 mi
Kilometers
459.8 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
349.07 mi
Kilometers
561.77 km
Drive Time
05h 27m

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 05h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gastonia
Sun, Apr 19, 9:19 AM EDT
Return by in Elizabeth City
Sun, Apr 19, 2:47 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elizabeth City
2026-04-19T03:51
Arrive Gastonia
Sun, Apr 19, 9:19 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:28 AM to 1:28 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:04 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elizabeth City
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Morrisville
NC

Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States

From Elizabeth City
171.2 mi
02h 43m
To Gastonia
177.9 mi
02h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City and Gastonia.

  1. 1

    Start on Providence Road

    783 ft · 36 sec · Providence Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard

    63.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South Hughes Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    27.8 mi · 30 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road

    1173 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road

    94 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Rolesville Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road

  8. 8

    Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

    2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Horton Road

    2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    1943 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham

    2972 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on New Raleigh Highway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on South Miami Boulevard

    9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    42.3 mi · 49 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia

    858 ft · 29 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue

    3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on East Long Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Broad Street

    1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard

    2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Hughes Boulevard
148 mi · 42%
I 85 Business South
105 mi · 30%
South Miami Boulevard
59.3 mi · 17%
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 4%
Buffaloe Road
4.2 mi · 1%
Rolesville Road
2.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.4 mi
285.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morrisville
02h 43m from Elizabeth City
Leave By
6:04 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elizabeth City 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 Elizabeth City to Gastonia?

The road trip is about 349.1 miles (561.8 km) and usually takes 05h 27m 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?

Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.2 miles from Elizabeth City and 177.9 miles from Gastonia.

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

The direct path is about 285.7 miles (459.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.4 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 6:04 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.80 one way or $97.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elizabeth City and Chance Rain Showers near Gastonia.

Stop Ideas Near Morrisville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Morrisville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 10.9 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 7 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 8.2 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 6.9 mi away

Town Hall Drive Median/Bike Lanes

Morrisville , NC
Town Hall Dr, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Road construction company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.

RAIL

Cary

6 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

11 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

17 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

21 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth City and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 285.71 mi (459.8 km).

Elizabeth City

#1 Elizabeth City

City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina

Population17,988
Coordinates36.2946000, -76.2510500
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Gastonia

#2 Gastonia

The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.

Population77,640
Coordinates35.2620800, -81.1873000
Altitude245
CountryUnited States
Start: Providence Road (-76.250921, 36.294706)
End: West Franklin Boulevard (-81.187301, 35.262154)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 562 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.32 gal
46.63 L · about $48.80
Round trip
$97.60
24.64 gal · 93.26 L
Estimated CO2
109.5 kg one way
Round trip: 219 kg / 483 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $48.80 $97.60
Mid-grade $4.43 $54.57 $109.13
Premium $4.78 $58.86 $117.73
Diesel $5.62 $69.29 $138.58

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

There is no time difference between Elizabeth City and Gastonia. The current time is 03:51:36.

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.