How far is Kannapolis, NC from Rocky Mount, NC?
The driving distance from Kannapolis, NC to Rocky Mount, NC is about 198.3 miles (319.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Alamance 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 Kannapolis and Rocky Mount.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kannapolis and Rocky Mount.
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1
Start on Cadillac Street
707 ft · 36 sec · Cadillac Street
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2
Turn left onto Ford Street
134 m · 23 sec · Ford Street
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3
Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
1307 ft · 30 sec · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
-
4
Turn left onto Fairview Street
1696 ft · 49 sec · Fairview Street
-
5
Turn left onto South Cannon Boulevard
6.9 mi · 11 min · South Cannon Boulevard
-
6
Keep slight right
1631 ft · 33 sec
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
28 m · 2 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
585 ft · 11 sec
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
23 m · 1 sec
-
10
Exit the roundabout
702 ft · 13 sec
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
50 m · 3 sec
-
12
Exit the roundabout
1692 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left
14.8 mi · 17 min
-
14
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
-
17
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.1 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue
-
20
Take the exit slight left toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
2664 ft · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 12 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
1.2 km · 58 sec
-
23
Merge slight right
16.8 mi · 18 min
-
24
Keep slight left
33.3 mi · 36 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right
1089 ft · 27 sec
-
26
Turn left onto Atlantic Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto Tarboro Street
979 ft · 19 sec · Tarboro Street
-
28
Turn slight right onto Cokey Road
68 m · 6 sec · Cokey Road
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cokey Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kannapolis and Rocky Mount.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 29
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Kannapolis and Sunny near Rocky Mount.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kannapolis to Rocky Mount?
The road trip is about 198.3 miles (319.1 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Mebane is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99 miles from Kannapolis and 99.2 miles from Rocky Mount.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 9:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.73 one way or $55.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kannapolis and Sunny near Rocky Mount.
Stop Ideas Near Mebane
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Carrboro Town Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mebane.
Burlington
Durham
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kannapolis and Rocky Mount. Straight-line distance: 161.85 mi (260.47 km).
#1 Kannapolis
The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
| Population | 52,007 |
| Coordinates | 35.4873600, -80.6217300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rocky Mount
The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
| Population | 53,689 |
| Coordinates | 35.9382100, -77.7905300 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rocky Mount (-77.79053, 35.93821)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.00 | $62.01 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.45 | $66.89 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.37 | $78.74 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.