How far is Jacksonville, NC from Morganton, NC?
The driving distance from Jacksonville, NC to Morganton, NC is about 312.2 miles (502.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.6 miles (401.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 19m 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 09m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jacksonville and Morganton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Morganton.
-
1
Start on Marine Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Marine Boulevard
-
2
Keep slight right to continue on Richlands Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
-
3
Continue on Richlands Highway
5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway
-
4
Turn left onto Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi · 21 min · Catherine Lake Road
-
5
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road
-
6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road
-
7
At the end of the road, turn right
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
8
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.6 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
-
9
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass
-
10
Take the exit right
59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
11
Keep slight left
86.1 mi · 1 hr 39 min
-
12
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
-
13
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
101 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward NC 18: Morganton, Shelby
1300 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Turn right onto South Sterling Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Sterling Street
-
17
Continue on South Green Street
1735 ft · 1 min · South Green Street
-
18
Turn right onto East Concord Street
99 m · 13 sec · East Concord Street
-
19
Turn left
31 m · 7 sec
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville and Morganton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
101 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Sunny near Morganton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Morganton?
The road trip is about 312.2 miles (502.5 km) and usually takes 06h 09m 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?
Hillsborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156 miles from Jacksonville and 156.2 miles from Morganton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.6 miles (401.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.6 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 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 $43.65 one way or $87.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before arriving, the latest forecast around Morganton is Sunny.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsborough
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsborough.
Durham
Burlington
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Morganton. Straight-line distance: 249.62 mi (401.72 km).
#1 Jacksonville
The most populous city in Onslow County, North Carolina.
| Population | 76,284 |
| Coordinates | 34.7540500, -77.4302400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Morganton
City in Burke County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 16,625 |
| Coordinates | 35.7454100, -81.6848200 |
| Altitude | 352 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morganton (-81.68482, 35.74541)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 502 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $43.65 | $87.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $48.81 | $97.62 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $52.65 | $105.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $61.98 | $123.95 |
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.