How far is Gastonia, NC from Hillsborough, NC?
The driving distance from Gastonia, NC to Hillsborough, NC is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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 02h 53m.
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.
City in and county seat of Davidson 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 Hillsborough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gastonia and Hillsborough.
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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
34.5 mi · 40 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
1495 ft · 22 sec
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12
Keep slight right
1131 ft · 18 sec
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13
Keep slight left
43 m · 8 sec
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14
Turn left onto I 85 US 70 Connector
2.1 mi · 3 min · I 85 US 70 Connector
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15
Turn right onto West Hill Avenue North
1.2 km · 2 min · West Hill Avenue North
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16
Turn left onto Latimer Street
632 ft · 17 sec · Latimer Street
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17
Turn right onto Lakeshore Drive
785 ft · 23 sec · Lakeshore Drive
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18
Turn left onto West King Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West King Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gastonia and Hillsborough.
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 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 Gastonia and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gastonia to Hillsborough?
The road trip is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Gastonia and 73.9 miles from Hillsborough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.9 miles (209.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.64 one way or $41.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gastonia and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gastonia and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 129.95 mi (209.14 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 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsborough (-79.09973, 36.07542)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 238 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.64 | $41.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.08 | $46.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.89 | $49.79 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.