How far is Forest City, NC from Asheville, NC?

The driving distance from Forest City, NC to Asheville, NC is about 63 miles (101.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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
63.04 mi
01h 03m
Flight
42.93 mi
69.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forest City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.93 mi
Kilometers
69.09 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
63.04 mi
Kilometers
101.45 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Asheville
Thu, Apr 23, 12:11 AM EDT
Return by in Forest City
Thu, Apr 23, 1:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forest City
2026-04-22T23:07
Arrive Asheville
Thu, Apr 23, 12:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forest City
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
Saluda
NC

Human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America

From Forest City
31.2 mi
00h 31m
To Asheville
31.8 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
46°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 7:00 PM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forest City and Asheville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Asheville.

  1. 1

    Start on Cherry Mountain Street

    17 m · 5 sec · Cherry Mountain Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    972 ft · 47 sec · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Church Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Church Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1186 ft · 23 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on US 74 West: Columbus, Asheville

    2167 ft · 53 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto James A. Callahan Highway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · James A. Callahan Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

    18.3 mi · 20 min · Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

    37.8 mi · 46 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Westgate

    920 ft · 16 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Patton Avenue

    821 ft · 14 sec · Patton Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp straight toward Westgate

    48 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Billy Graham Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25

    693 ft · 17 sec

  14. 14

    Turn slight right

    42 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Merrimon Avenue

    534 ft · 27 sec · Merrimon Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Marcellus Street

    40 m · 8 sec · Marcellus Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    14 m · 3 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest City and Asheville.

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
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Andrew Jackson Highway
37.8 mi · 60%
Lieutenant Governor Walter H Dalton Highway
18.3 mi · 29%
James A. Callahan Highway
2.13 mi · 3%
South Church Street
1.39 mi · 2%
Billy Graham Freeway
1.39 mi · 2%
US 74 West
0.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Andrew Jackson Highway

Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway

37.8 mi · 00h 46m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.1 mi
42.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saluda
00h 31m from Forest City
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Forest City and Mostly Clear near Asheville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Forest City to Asheville?

The road trip is about 63 miles (101.4 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Saluda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.2 miles from Forest City and 31.8 miles from Asheville.

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

The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.79 one way or $17.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Forest City and Mostly Clear near Asheville.

Stop Ideas Near Saluda

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 Saluda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall of Tryon
Scenic stop 7.4 mi away

Town Hall of Tryon

Tryon , NC
301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Business park,Park
City of Saluda
Meeting point 1.9 mi away

City of Saluda

Saluda , NC
6 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office
Town of Mills River
Nearby stop 13.7 mi away

Town of Mills River

Mills River , NC
124 Town Center Dr, Mills River, NC 28759
Rating 4.4/5 14 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Greenville

43 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Spartanburg

49 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Clemson

75 mi away
Calhoun Memorial Hwy and College Ave.
RAIL

Gastonia

108 mi away
350 Hancock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Asheville. Straight-line distance: 42.93 mi (69.09 km).

Forest City

#1 Forest City

Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States

Population7,138
Coordinates35.3340100, -81.8651000
Altitude309
CountryUnited States
Asheville

#2 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Start: Cherry Mountain Street (-81.864991, 35.333988)
End: (-82.554029, 35.600953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 101 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.22 gal
8.42 L · about $8.79
Round trip
$17.59
4.44 gal · 16.84 L
Estimated CO2
19.7 kg one way
Round trip: 39.5 kg / 87 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $8.79 $17.59
Mid-grade $4.43 $9.83 $19.66
Premium $4.78 $10.61 $21.21
Diesel $5.62 $12.49 $24.97

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

There is no time difference between Forest City and Asheville. The current time is 23:07:53.

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.