How far is Gastonia, NC from Morehead City, NC?
The driving distance from Gastonia, NC to Morehead City, NC is about 303 miles (487.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 32m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in and county seat of Marshall County, Mississippi, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gastonia and Morehead City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gastonia and Morehead City.
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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
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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28
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 50 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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30
Turn left onto North 18th Street
57 m · 8 sec · North 18th Street
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31
Turn right
75 m · 18 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 Morehead City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gastonia and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gastonia to Morehead City?
The road trip is about 303 miles (487.7 km) and usually takes 06h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Holly Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.4 miles from Gastonia and 151.7 miles from Morehead City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.7 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.34 one way or $84.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gastonia and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Stop Ideas Near Holly Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Holly Springs.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gastonia and Morehead City. Straight-line distance: 255.23 mi (410.75 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 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morehead City (-76.72604, 34.72294)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 488 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $42.34 | $84.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $47.35 | $94.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $51.08 | $102.15 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $60.12 | $120.24 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.