How far is Hickory, NC from Asheville, NC?

The driving distance from Hickory, NC to Asheville, NC is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.7 miles (110.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
76.65 mi
01h 15m
Flight
68.69 mi
110.54 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hickory.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.69 mi
Kilometers
110.54 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.65 mi
Kilometers
123.35 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Asheville
Mon, May 4, 8:27 PM EDT
Return by in Hickory
Mon, May 4, 9:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hickory
2026-05-04T19:11
Arrive Asheville
Mon, May 4, 8:27 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hickory
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Marion
NC

City in McDowell County, North Carolina, U.

From Hickory
38 mi
00h 37m
To Asheville
38.6 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 9 mph SW
Destination
46°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 PM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hickory and Asheville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hickory and Asheville.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    47 m · 17 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Trade Alley

    78 m · 24 sec · Trade Alley

  3. 3

    Turn left

    67 m · 22 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue Northwest

    1292 ft · 43 sec · 1st Avenue Northwest

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    112 m · 7 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  6. 6

    Continue on 4th Street Southwest

    151 m · 14 sec · 4th Street Southwest

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue Southwest

    1.5 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue Southwest

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 13th Street Southwest

    2871 ft · 57 sec · 13th Street Southwest

  9. 9

    Turn right onto US 70 Southwest

    2.5 mi · 4 min · US 70 Southwest

  10. 10

    Turn left onto I- 40 Access Road Southeast

    1.2 mi · 2 min · I- 40 Access Road Southeast

  11. 11

    Take the ramp straight

    1492 ft · 36 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    65.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25

    918 ft · 27 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    14 m · 3 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hickory and Asheville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I- 40 Access Road Southeast
66.8 mi · 87%
Billy Graham Freeway
4.56 mi · 6%
US 70 Southwest
2.54 mi · 3%
1st Avenue Southwest
0.93 mi · 1%
13th Street Southwest
0.54 mi · 1%
1st Avenue Northwest
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

I- 40 Access Road Southeast

Merge slight left

65.4 mi · 01h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.9 mi
68.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marion
00h 37m from Hickory
Leave By
3:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hickory and Mostly Clear near Asheville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hickory to Asheville?

The road trip is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38 miles from Hickory and 38.6 miles from Asheville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 68.7 miles (110.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 3:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.73 one way or $21.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hickory and Mostly Clear near Asheville.

Stop Ideas Near Marion

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marion, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marion.

RAIL

Spartanburg

81 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Gastonia

89 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Greenville

99 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Charlotte

118 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hickory and Asheville. Straight-line distance: 68.69 mi (110.54 km).

Hickory

#1 Hickory

The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.

Population41,473
Coordinates35.7331900, -81.3412000
Altitude350
CountryUnited States
Asheville

#2 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Avenue Northwest (-81.341199, 35.733382)
End: (-82.554029, 35.600953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.71 gal
10.24 L · about $10.73
Round trip
$21.47
5.42 gal · 20.48 L
Estimated CO2
24.1 kg one way
Round trip: 48.2 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.73 $21.47
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.00 $24.01
Premium $4.78 $12.95 $25.90
Diesel $5.62 $15.24 $30.48

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Hickory and Asheville. The current time is 19:11:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.