How far is Greensboro, NC from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?
The driving distance from Greensboro, NC to Lake Norman of Catawba, NC is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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 01h 48m.
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.
Town in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Greensboro and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greensboro and Lake Norman of Catawba.
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1
Start on West Market Street
40 m · 10 sec · West Market Street
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2
Turn right onto South Greene Street
1421 ft · 41 sec · South Greene Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West McGee Street
5 m · 1 sec · West McGee Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto West McGee Street
1461 ft · 42 sec · West McGee Street
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5
Turn left onto Freeman Mill Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Freeman Mill Road
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Freeman Mill Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Freeman Mill Road
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7
Continue on Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right
1461 ft · 36 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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10
Keep slight left
50.2 mi · 54 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
1773 ft · 44 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
593 ft · 11 sec
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
26 m · 1 sec
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15
Exit the roundabout
7 m · 1 sec
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16
Keep slight right
1.3 km · 2 min
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17
Turn sharp right onto East Church Street
12 mi · 18 min · East Church Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Oakridge Farm Highway
1449 ft · 28 sec · Oakridge Farm Highway
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19
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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20
Continue on East Plaza Drive
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Plaza Drive
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21
Continue on River Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · River Highway
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22
Turn left onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
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23
Turn left onto Riverwood Road
962 ft · 42 sec · Riverwood Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Riverwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Greensboro and Lake Norman of Catawba.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
Keep slight left
50.2 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Greensboro and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Greensboro to Lake Norman of Catawba?
The road trip is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?
Spencer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.5 miles from Greensboro and 42.6 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 2:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Greensboro and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Norman of Catawba.
Stop Ideas Near Spencer
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 Spencer.
Salisbury
Lexington
Kannapolis
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Greensboro and Lake Norman of Catawba. Straight-line distance: 73.51 mi (118.31 km).
#1 Greensboro
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
| Population | 297,878 |
| Coordinates | 36.0726400, -79.7919800 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Norman of Catawba (-80.95952, 35.5868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 137 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.88 | $23.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.29 | $26.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.33 | $28.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $16.87 | $33.74 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.