How far is Kinston, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Kinston, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 203.4 miles (327.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 32m 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 04h 16m.
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 of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kinston and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kinston and Gastonia.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 13 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walls Street
51 m · 10 sec · Walls Street
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3
Turn right onto West North Street
75 m · 18 sec · West North Street
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4
Turn left onto North Herritage Street
1290 ft · 50 sec · North Herritage Street
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5
Turn right onto Old Pink Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Pink Hill Road
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6
Turn right onto West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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7
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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8
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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9
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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15
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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16
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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18
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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21
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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22
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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23
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kinston and Gastonia.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 01h 52m
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 Kinston and Mostly Clear near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kinston to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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?
Haw River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.5 miles from Kinston and 134.2 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.4 miles (327.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.4 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 8:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.27 one way or $74.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kinston and Mostly Clear near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near Haw River
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Graham City Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Haw River.
Burlington
Durham
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kinston and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 203.41 mi (327.35 km).
#1 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gastonia
The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.
| Population | 77,640 |
| Coordinates | 35.2620800, -81.1873000 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Franklin Boulevard (-81.187301, 35.262154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 429 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.27 | $74.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $41.68 | $83.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $44.96 | $89.92 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $52.92 | $105.84 |
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.