How far is Rocky Mount, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Rocky Mount, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.5 miles (316.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rocky Mount and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount and Gastonia.
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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
39.9 mi · 43 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road
1173 ft · 29 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road
94 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road
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11
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road
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12
Turn right onto Horton Road
2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road
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13
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road
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14
Take the ramp right
1943 ft · 24 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
2972 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
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18
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
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19
Continue on South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard
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20
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 49 min
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21
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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22
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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23
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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25
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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26
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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27
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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28
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rocky Mount and Gastonia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rocky Mount and Patchy Fog near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rocky Mount to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Sedalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118 miles from Rocky Mount and 126.1 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.5 miles (316.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.10 one way or $68.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rocky Mount and Patchy Fog near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near Sedalia
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 Sedalia.
Burlington
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rocky Mount and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 196.45 mi (316.16 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 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: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.10 | $68.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.13 | $76.27 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.42 | $96.85 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.