How far is Morehead City, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Morehead City, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 334.7 miles (538.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 00m 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 05h 30m.
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.
Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Morehead City and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morehead City and Gastonia.
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1
Start on the route
75 m · 23 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 18th Street
38 m · 6 sec · North 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Arendell Street
69.2 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Arendell Street
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4
Continue on West New Bern Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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6
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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7
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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8
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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9
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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11
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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13
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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14
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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15
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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16
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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17
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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19
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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20
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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21
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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22
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morehead City and Gastonia.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Morehead City and Mostly Sunny near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Morehead City to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 334.7 miles (538.7 km) and usually takes 05h 30m 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?
Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 167 miles from Morehead City and 167.7 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 79.4 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 6:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.78 one way or $93.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Morehead City and Mostly Sunny near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near Morrisville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morehead City and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 255.23 mi (410.75 km).
#1 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 539 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $46.78 | $93.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $52.31 | $104.61 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $56.43 | $112.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $66.42 | $132.84 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.