Best stops on I-85 in North Carolina

All 140 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 121

Milepost 118.9 · 22 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 6 hotels · ♥ Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park, Greensboro Science Center

2. Exit 106 — Grover;Blacksburg

Milepost 0 · 23 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 3 hotels · 24/7 travel center

3. Exit 176 — Roxboro

Milepost 174.1 · 29 places to eat · 14 gas stations · 12 hotels · ♥ Nasher Museum of Art, 11-foot-8 Bridge

4. Exit 39 — Statesville Avenue/Road

Milepost 38.3 · 18 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 10 hotels · 24/7 travel center

5. Exit 173 — Durham

Milepost 171.3 · 29 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 13 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Duke Lemur Center

6. Exit 124 — South Elm-Eugene Street

Milepost 121.8 · 26 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 10 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Blandwood Mansion

7. Exit 32 — Charlotte Douglas International Airport;Little Rock Road

Milepost 31.8 · 29 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 18 hotels · ♥ METALmorphosis

8. Exit 20 — Dallas;New Hope Road

Milepost 19.7 · 28 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 15 hotels · open 24 hours

9. Exit 33 — Billy Graham Parkway;Farmers Market

Milepost 32.9 · 22 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 20 hotels · open 24 hours

10. Exit 40 — Graham Street

Milepost 40.1 · 21 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 12 hotels · open 24 hours

← Every I-85 exit in North Carolina