How far is Oak Ridge, NC from Asheville, NC?

The driving distance from Oak Ridge, NC to Asheville, NC is about 162.8 miles (262 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.82 mi
02h 31m
Flight
148.93 mi
239.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oak Ridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.93 mi
Kilometers
239.68 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.82 mi
Kilometers
262.04 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Asheville
Sun, May 24, 5:14 AM EDT
Return by in Oak Ridge
Sun, May 24, 7:45 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oak Ridge
2026-05-24T02:43
Arrive Asheville
Sun, May 24, 5:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oak Ridge
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Conover
NC

City in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Oak Ridge
80.7 mi
01h 15m
To Asheville
82.1 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Sun, May 24 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
78°F
Sunday

Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Oak Ridge and Asheville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oak Ridge and Asheville.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    43 m · 13 sec

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Oak Ridge Road

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Road

  3. 3

    Continue on North Main Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Main Street

    734 ft · 21 sec · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Bodenhamer Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Bodenhamer Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 421 North, NC 150 West: Winston-Salem

    869 ft · 22 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    15.1 mi · 19 min · Salem Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40: Greensboro, Statesville

    1 km · 44 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Statesville

    1505 ft · 20 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    134 mi · 2 hr 32 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Billy Graham Freeway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Billy Graham Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25

    918 ft · 27 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right

    14 m · 3 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Oak Ridge and Asheville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
134 mi · 82%
Salem Parkway
15.1 mi · 9%
Billy Graham Freeway
4.56 mi · 3%
Oak Ridge Road
3.61 mi · 2%
North Main Street
2.47 mi · 2%
East Bodenhamer Street
0.7 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Merge slight left

134 mi · 02h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.9 mi
148.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Conover
01h 15m from Oak Ridge
Leave By
1:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog leaving Oak Ridge and Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms near Asheville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Oak Ridge to Asheville?

The road trip is about 162.8 miles (262 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Conover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Oak Ridge and 82.1 miles from Asheville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 1:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.78 one way or $45.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Oak Ridge and Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms near Asheville.

Stop Ideas Near Conover

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Conover, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Conover.

RAIL

Gastonia

49 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Kannapolis

59 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Charlotte

63 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Salisbury

69 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oak Ridge and Asheville. Straight-line distance: 148.93 mi (239.68 km).

Oak Ridge

#1 Oak Ridge

Town in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States

Population7,126
Coordinates36.1734700, -79.9889300
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Asheville

#2 Asheville

The most populous city in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Population92,852
Coordinates35.6009500, -82.5540200
Altitude649
CountryUnited States
Start: (-79.988968, 36.173475)
End: (-82.554029, 35.600953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.75 gal
21.75 L · about $22.78
Round trip
$45.55
11.5 gal · 43.5 L
Estimated CO2
51.1 kg one way
Round trip: 102.2 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.78 $45.55
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.47 $50.93
Premium $4.78 $27.47 $54.95
Diesel $5.62 $32.34 $64.68

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 · May 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Oak Ridge and Asheville. The current time is 02:43:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.