How far is Jacksonville, NC from Sanford, NC?
The driving distance from Jacksonville, NC to Sanford, NC is about 128.6 miles (207 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 02h 52m.
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.
Township in Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jacksonville and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Sanford.
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1
Start on Marine Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Marine Boulevard
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2
Keep slight right to continue on Richlands Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
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3
Continue on Richlands Highway
5 mi · 8 min · Richlands Highway
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4
Turn left onto Catherine Lake Road
14.4 mi · 21 min · Catherine Lake Road
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5
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Jackson Store Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Hallsville Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn right
5.1 mi · 7 min
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8
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.6 km · 1 min · D S Williams Road
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9
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass
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10
Take the exit right
45.1 mi · 49 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
1321 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NC 50, NC 242: Benson, Newton Grove
1191 ft · 33 sec
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14
Turn right onto East Main Street
2874 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Main Street
22 m · 2 sec · West Main Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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17
Continue straight
8.9 mi · 13 min
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18
Continue on Leslie Campbell Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leslie Campbell Avenue
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leslie Campbell Avenue
50 m · 6 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
679 ft · 18 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leslie Campbell Avenue
58 m · 7 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Leslie Campbell Avenue
2055 ft · 50 sec · Leslie Campbell Avenue
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23
Merge slight left onto East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
3.3 mi · 5 min · East Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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25
Turn right onto South 10th Street
2737 ft · 1 min · South 10th Street
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26
Turn right onto West Front Street
18.1 mi · 25 min · West Front Street
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27
Turn right onto South Horner Boulevard
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Horner Boulevard
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Horner Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville and Sanford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Kenansville Bypass
Take the exit right
45.1 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jacksonville and Chance Rain Showers near Sanford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Sanford?
The road trip is about 128.6 miles (207 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.3 miles from Jacksonville and 64.4 miles from Sanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.98 one way or $35.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Jacksonville and Chance Rain Showers near Sanford.
Stop Ideas Near Keener
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 Keener.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Fayetteville
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 110.89 mi (178.46 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 Sanford
City in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 30,361 |
| Coordinates | 35.4798800, -79.1803000 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sanford (-79.1803, 35.47988)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $17.98 | $35.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.11 | $40.22 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $21.69 | $43.38 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $25.53 | $51.07 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.