HIGHWAYS
Getting anywhere is easy from here. The Carolinas Gateway Partnership region, comprised of the Rocky Mount MSA, which is all of Edgecombe and Nash Counties combined, clearly defines strategic location.
We are halfway between New York and Florida directly on I-95 and US 64; one hour east of North Carolina's renowned Research Triangle Park; and just 120 miles inland.
The Rocky Mount MSA offers convenient access to the major interstate highway systems, providing excellent toll-free truck transportation on I-95 north-south (about 5 miles west), and I-40 east-west (less than 50 miles away) linking with I-85 and I-77 northeast, southeast and east-west. US 64, a four-laned interstate quality highway also links the area with the national interstate system. Approximately 96% of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership region's population is within 10 miles of a four-laned highway.
In addition to I-95 and US 64, the Carolinas Gateway region is served by US Highways 301, 264 and 258. Outlying areas are accessed by North Carolina Highways 4, 33, 42, 43, 48, 58, 97, 111, 122, and 124.
Capitalizing on our over-land network, 30+ motor carriers and 10 terminals have located here, offering one-day access to the East Coast's major markets. An easy drive and products reach the deep water ports of Morehead City and Wilmington, NC, and Norfolk and Hampton Roads, VA.
Nearest Major North Carolina Cities (100,000+ population)
Raleigh, NC 60 miles
Cary, NC 68 miles
Durham, NC 69 miles
Fayetteville, NC 95 miles
Greensboro, NC 135 miles
Winston-Salem, NC 163 miles
Average Driving Times to Selected Locations
Atlanta, Georgia 9 hours
Charleston, South Carolina 5 hours
Charlotte, North Carolina 4 hours
New York City, New York 9 hours
Raleigh, North Carolina 1 hour
Washington, DC 4 hours
Wilmington, NC 2 hours
AIRPORTS
Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport (RWI), located 10 miles from Rocky Mount, has a 7,000 foot lighted runway with instrument landing system, making it ideal for corporate traffic. RWI has been approved for the GATE program that allows international traffic to fly directly to the airport and pass through customs without having to stop in Raleigh or Charlotte.
Commercial passenger service is available out of nearby Raleigh-Durham International (RDU), the nation's 36th largest airport located in Raleigh, approximately an hour's drive from the area. RDU offers 400 daily departures by several major airlines and regional carriers that provide direct non-stop flights to over 40 U.S. destinations, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. The airport houses a U.S. Customs office, 5 air cargo carriers and 25 freight forwarders.
Commercial passenger service is also available at Pitt-Greenville Regional Airport (PGV) in Greenville, approximately 40 minutes from Rocky Mount and 25 minutes from Tarboro. PGV provides commuter service to Charlotte's Douglas International Airport through USAir Express with 11 daily flights. All aircraft services are available, including charters.
The Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport, located in Tarboro, the county seat of Edgecombe County, is a general aviation facility with a 4,000 foot, paved and lighted runway. Smaller corporate planes doing business in Tarboro frequently use the facility.
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SEAPORTS
North Carolina is a leading player in world commerce. Major export products range from high technology electronics fiber optics and pharmaceuticals to furniture, textiles, tobacco, and forestry products. Exports currently account for approximately 16% of sales in the industry, and foreign trade activity is expanding rapidly.
North Carolina Ports offer the closest, most cost-efficient route to one of the fastest growing cargo markets in the United States. The proximity of the deepwater seaports of Wilmington, North Carolina's largest port, and Morehead City, the state's second largest and major deepwater port, is ideal for transporting containerized, bulk, or breakbulk cargo throughout the southeastern United States market. In addition, the North Carolina Ports Authority operates strategic intermodal ports in Charlotte and Greensboro. This network allows shippers to move container cargo between these inland points and facilities in Wilmington at substantial savings.
The Carolinas Gateway Partnership area offers prompt access to an international air cargo gateway (the new Global TransPark airport, which has the longest (11,500 feet) commercial runway in the state, and can accommodate the world's largest cargo jets, and to modern uncongested seaport facilities. The deep-water ports and inland intermodal terminals offer unique business opportunities and significant cost savings to shipping lines as well as shippers. Foreign Trade Zones and bonded warehouse storage are available at all of these.
The modern, uncongested deep water ports at Morehead City, NC can be reached in two hours by truck, and facilities at Wilmington, NC, the Virginia Ports of Hampton Roads and Norfolk, VA, and Charleston, SC are readily accessible from the area.
Distance to Ports
Morehead City, NC 136 miles (2 hours)
Wilmington, NC 158 miles (3 hours)
Richmond, VA 140 miles (2.5 hours)
Hampton Roads, VA 150 miles (2.5 hours)
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RAILROADS
North Carolina is the hub of an East Coast rail network linking the state's industries to suppliers and markets throughout the U.S. More freight is being moved now and in each of the last 14 years than was moved at any time in US history, including WW II. Four thousand miles of track and 20 railroads crisscross the state. Rail passenger and freight service is available in the Carolinas Gateway Partnership region.
North Carolina is the center of CSX's 27,000-mile network serving 23 states, the District of Columbia and Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Sites served by CSX provide direct rail links to NC's ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, and the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast areas. CSX's Class 1 railroad has existing operational trackage along some sites, and is within a few miles of other sites within the area, and is prepared to extend rail consistent with the client's demands. CSX's goal, advanced at each of its business units, is to provide safe, efficient, competitive transportation and related services to its customers, deliver superior value to its shareholders, and make a positive difference in the communities that it serves. Daily switching, piggyback service, special cars, and customized port related freight handling is available. Rocky Mount serves as a major terminal hub for CSX, serving all of Eastern North Carolina.
Amtrak, with a passenger station in Rocky Mount, provides the area with passenger rail service on the new Carolinian. Major north-south route with service to Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washington, Charleston, Savannah, Orlando and Miami. East-west connections are through Raleigh and Charlotte.
The Nash County Railroad, locally owned and operated feeder line, connects with CSX in Rocky Mount, and runs 15 miles west to Nashville. Products handled by Nash County Railroad include poultry feed ingredients, steel, and scrap metal.
The Norfolk-Southern Railway operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia, serves all major eastern ports, and connects with rail partners in the West and Canada, linking customers to markets around the world. Norfolk Southern provides comprehensive logistics services and offers the most extensive intermodal network in the East.
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