How far is Gastonia, NC from Kinston, NC?
The driving distance from Gastonia, NC to Kinston, NC is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 203.4 miles (327.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 14m 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 05h 07m.
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 western Chatham 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 Kinston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gastonia and Kinston.
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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
15.3 mi · 19 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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8
Take the exit slight right toward University City Boulevard, Ikea Boulevard
1482 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ikea Boulevard
39 m · 3 sec
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10
Turn right onto University City Boulevard
5.7 mi · 9 min · University City Boulevard
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11
Continue on NC Highway 49
55.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min · NC Highway 49
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12
Continue straight
1230 ft · 39 sec
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13
Continue on West Dixie Drive
3.5 mi · 6 min · West Dixie Drive
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14
Continue on Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.1 mi · 10 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway
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15
Continue on Jordan Road
24.3 mi · 36 min · Jordan Road
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16
Keep slight left
21 mi · 27 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll South
2827 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
22 mi · 24 min · Triangle Expressway
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19
Keep slight left
1648 ft · 40 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield
2526 ft · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8.7 mi · 9 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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22
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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23
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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24
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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25
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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26
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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27
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · West Vernon Avenue
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28
Turn right onto North Queen Street
1807 ft · 41 sec · North Queen Street
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29
Turn right onto West Blount Street
80 m · 17 sec · West Blount Street
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30
Turn left onto Walls Street
96 m · 19 sec · Walls Street
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31
Turn left
31 m · 8 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gastonia and Kinston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
NC Highway 49
Continue on NC Highway 49
55.6 mi · 01h 17m
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 Kinston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gastonia to Kinston?
The road trip is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km) and usually takes 05h 07m 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?
Siler City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.9 miles from Gastonia and 117.3 miles from Kinston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.4 miles (327.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 6:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.72 one way or $65.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gastonia and Sunny near Kinston.
Stop Ideas Near Siler City
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 Siler City.
Burlington
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gastonia and Kinston. Straight-line distance: 203.41 mi (327.35 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 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kinston (-77.58164, 35.26266)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 377 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $32.72 | $65.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.58 | $73.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.47 | $78.93 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.45 | $92.91 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.