How far is Rocky Mount, NC from Clayton, NC?
The driving distance from Rocky Mount, NC to Clayton, NC is about 54.1 miles (87.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m 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 01h 10m.
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.
City in Nash County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rocky Mount and Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount and Clayton.
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1
Start on Cokey Road
130 m · 19 sec · Cokey Road
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2
Turn sharp right onto Hill Street
1351 ft · 43 sec · Hill Street
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3
Turn right onto Arlington Street
53 m · 4 sec · Arlington Street
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Arlington Street
82 m · 7 sec · Arlington Street
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5
Continue on Atlantic Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right
945 ft · 23 sec
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7
Merge slight left
37 mi · 40 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
1059 ft · 31 sec
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9
Turn left onto Lizard Lick Road
1 km · 1 min · Lizard Lick Road
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10
Continue on Marshburn Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Marshburn Road
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11
Turn slight left onto Wendell Boulevard
153 m · 9 sec · Wendell Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Wendell Falls Parkway
2162 ft · 58 sec · Wendell Falls Parkway
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13
Turn left onto West 1st Street
111 m · 11 sec · West 1st Street
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14
Turn right onto Meadow Lane
1368 ft · 39 sec · Meadow Lane
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15
Turn left onto Landing Place Drive
834 ft · 22 sec · Landing Place Drive
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16
Turn right onto West Haywood Street
100 m · 8 sec · West Haywood Street
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17
Continue on Lake Glad Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Lake Glad Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Eagle Rock Road
1.1 km · 58 sec · Eagle Rock Road
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19
Continue on Buffalo Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Buffalo Road
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20
Turn right onto Lake Wendell Road
545 ft · 11 sec · Lake Wendell Road
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21
Turn left onto Medlin Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Medlin Road
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22
Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Covered Bridge Road
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23
Continue on North O'Neil Street
2 mi · 4 min · North O'Neil Street
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24
Turn left onto West Front Street
729 ft · 20 sec · West Front Street
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25
Turn right onto North Church Street
126 m · 22 sec · North Church Street
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26
Turn left onto East Main Street
912 ft · 39 sec · East Main Street
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27
Turn left onto North Lombard Street
26 m · 4 sec · North Lombard Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lombard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rocky Mount and Clayton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Atlantic Avenue
Merge slight left
37 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Sunny leaving Rocky Mount and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rocky Mount to Clayton?
The road trip is about 54.1 miles (87.1 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?
Spring Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from Rocky Mount and 27.1 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 4:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.57 one way or $15.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rocky Mount and Sunny near Clayton.
Stop Ideas Near Spring Hope
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 Spring Hope.
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rocky Mount and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 42.27 mi (68.03 km).
#1 Rocky Mount
The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
| Population | 53,689 |
| Coordinates | 35.9382100, -77.7905300 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-78.45639, 35.65071)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.57 | $15.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.46 | $16.92 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $9.13 | $18.25 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.74 | $21.48 |
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.