How far is Jacksonville, NC from Kannapolis, NC?

The driving distance from Jacksonville, NC to Kannapolis, NC is about 254.1 miles (409 km), with a travel time of about 05h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 187.3 miles (301.5 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
254.13 mi
05h 07m
Flight
187.34 mi
301.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jacksonville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
187.34 mi
Kilometers
301.49 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
254.13 mi
Kilometers
408.99 km
Drive Time
05h 07m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kannapolis
Sat, Apr 18, 5:27 AM EDT
Return by in Jacksonville
Sat, Apr 18, 10:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jacksonville
2026-04-18T00:20
Arrive Kannapolis
Sat, Apr 18, 5:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:07 AM to 1:07 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jacksonville
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Green Level
NC

City in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Jacksonville
127 mi
02h 33m
To Kannapolis
127.1 mi
02h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph S
Destination
92°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Jacksonville and Kannapolis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Kannapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on Marine Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Marine Boulevard

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on Richlands Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Richlands Highway

    5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Catherine Lake Road

    14.4 mi · 21 min · Catherine Lake Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Jackson Store Road

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Hallsville Road

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right

    5.1 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto D S Williams Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass

    3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass

  10. 10

    Take the exit right

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on NC 42: Fuquay-Varina

    1960 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Cleveland Rd

    1339 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Cleveland Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Cleveland Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Cleveland School Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cleveland School Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Benson Road

    2708 ft · 57 sec · Benson Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp left toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex

    1972 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    19.5 mi · 21 min · Triangle Expressway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Apex, Pittsboro

    1111 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    1902 ft · 46 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Pittsboro

    1274 ft · 31 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    32 mi · 42 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit right

    1943 ft · 47 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Isaac Brooks Highway

    25.5 mi · 31 min · Isaac Brooks Highway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte

    1107 ft · 27 sec

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 2 min

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop

    4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  28. 28

    Keep slight left

    58.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard

    1792 ft · 48 sec

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Ford Street

    134 m · 21 sec · Ford Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Cadillac Street

    707 ft · 31 sec · Cadillac Street

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville and Kannapolis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
33 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
4 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Kenansville Bypass
63.7 mi · 25%
I 85 South
61.5 mi · 24%
US 64 West
32.6 mi · 13%
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi · 10%
Triangle Expressway
19.5 mi · 8%
Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

South Kenansville Bypass

Take the exit right

59.8 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.8 mi
187.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Green Level
02h 33m from Jacksonville
Leave By
6:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Jacksonville and Mostly Sunny near Kannapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Kannapolis?

The road trip is about 254.1 miles (409 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?

Green Level is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127 miles from Jacksonville and 127.1 miles from Kannapolis.

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

The direct path is about 187.3 miles (301.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.8 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 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 $35.53 one way or $71.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jacksonville and Mostly Sunny near Kannapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Green Level

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Green Level and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 11.3 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 6.3 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 7.1 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 13.3 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Green Level.

RAIL

Cary

11 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

18 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

23 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

24 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Kannapolis. Straight-line distance: 187.34 mi (301.49 km).

Jacksonville

#1 Jacksonville

The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.

Population76,284
Coordinates34.7540500, -77.4302400
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Kannapolis

#2 Kannapolis

The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Population52,007
Coordinates35.4873600, -80.6217300
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Start: Jacksonville (-77.43024, 34.75405)
End: Kannapolis (-80.62173, 35.48736)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 409 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.97 gal
33.95 L · about $35.53
Round trip
$71.06
17.94 gal · 67.9 L
Estimated CO2
79.7 kg one way
Round trip: 159.4 kg / 351 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $35.53 $71.06
Mid-grade $4.43 $39.73 $79.46
Premium $4.78 $42.86 $85.72
Diesel $5.62 $50.45 $100.89

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

There is no time difference between Jacksonville and Kannapolis. The current time is 00:20:29.

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.