Road Tripping from Asheville to York: How Long You Can Expect to Be on the Road

Are you planning a trip between Asheville, NC and York, SC? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll want to know how long it will take you to arrive at your destination. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll cover the different routes you can take, the distance of each route, and the approximate driving time, so you can better plan your trip.

Shortcut through NC-18S

The most direct route for those staying in Downtown Asheville is to take the I-40E until Exit 103 towards Black Mountain. From there, you will follow the NC-9S and after about 13 miles, turn right onto NC-74E, heading towards Fairview. Then, take a left onto Gerton Hwy at the gas station and continue along it for 10 miles. Then, turn right onto Bat Cave Rd, follow it for a mile and turn left onto NC-74A E. After that, take a slight right turn onto NC-108E and follow it all the way till you cross state lines.

Distance-wise, this route is roughly 83 miles and usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to York, SC. However, the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains is quite picturesque so we suggest taking a break somewhere like the Bat Cave Preserve to stretch your legs, admire the scenic views and then get back on your way.

Through The Pisgah National Forest

Another picturesque route takes you through Hendersonville, Flat Rock and Saluda is via US-25 South towards Greenville. This route takes you through the scenic Pisgah National Forest, Valleys and steep Appalachian Mountains. You will also drive by landmarks like Chimney Rock State Park, Hickory Nut Gap Farm and the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Distance-wise, this route is about 96 miles and takes approximately 2 hours to get to your destination. We recommend stopping off at Chimney Rock State Park for a hike to the lookout point or grabbing some farm-fresh produce at Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

The Highway Route via The I-85

For those who need to get to York, SC in a hurry, the fastest route is via the I-85 South from Charlotte. For this route, get onto I-26 East from Downtown Asheville and keep driving until you reach the exit for I-85. Keep following I-85 South which will take you through Gastonia and Kings Mountain.

Distance-wise, this route is about 123 miles and takes approximately 2 and a half hours to get to your destination. However, if you are traveling during peak hours, expect to hit some traffic around Charlotte.

Other travel modes

If you’re not interested in driving, you can find a bus service like Greyhound or Amtrak which can get you to Columbia, SC. From there, York is a quick drive along the I-77 North.

Alternatively, you can also opt for a flight to Charlotte Airport, though it is a 3-hour drive from Asheville. However, the convenience of a flight is unparalleled, and you get a chance to take in the view of the city from above.

Travel Safe and Enjoy the Journey

No matter which route you choose, make sure to have enough rest, snacks, and water before you set off. We hope this article helped you plan your road trip to York, SC and maybe even convinced you to explore some new places along the way. Happy travels!