How far is Gastonia, NC from Clayton, NC?
The driving distance from Gastonia, NC to Clayton, NC is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gastonia and Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gastonia and Clayton.
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1
Start on West Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 57 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto South Broad Street
1311 ft · 37 sec · South Broad Street
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3
Turn right onto East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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4
Continue on East Ozark Avenue
2177 ft · 45 sec · East Ozark Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 85 North
1435 ft · 35 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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7
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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12
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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13
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Garner, Smithfield, Goldsboro
894 ft · 22 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 70 East: Smithfield
1.2 mi · 3 min
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17
Turn straight onto Goldsboro Highway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Goldsboro Highway
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18
Continue on Clayton Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Clayton Boulevard
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19
Turn slight right
819 ft · 30 sec
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20
Keep slight left
35 m · 9 sec
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21
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
75 m · 8 sec · Veterans Parkway
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22
Continue on South Lombard Street
2602 ft · 2 min · South Lombard Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lombard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gastonia and Clayton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Sunny leaving Gastonia and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gastonia to Clayton?
The road trip is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km) and usually takes 03h 56m 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 Gastonia and 100.5 miles from Clayton.
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 44.8 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 9:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.08 one way or $56.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gastonia and Sunny near Clayton.
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 Gastonia and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 156.02 mi (251.09 km).
#1 Gastonia
The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.
| Population | 77,640 |
| Coordinates | 35.2620800, -81.1873000 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-78.45639, 35.65071)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.08 | $56.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.40 | $62.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.88 | $67.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.87 | $79.75 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.