Origin
Apex, NC
Late night in Apex on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apex, NC to Piney Green, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
134.2 mi
216 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Piney Green, NC
Halil İbrahim Özcan
Trip Overview
This 134.2-mile drive from Apex, NC to Piney Green, NC is a straightforward, single-day journey taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40 and the Triangle Expressway, it's a highway-focused route with a comfortable fuel cost estimated at $21. Given its manageable length and efficient main roads, this trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You'll experience a smooth transit within the Southeast region, making it a practical choice for local travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.1 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 60.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| Triangle Expressway | 16.4 mi | 17m |
| NC 111 | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Lejeune Boulevard | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| NC 50 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Richlands Highway | 5 mi | 7m |
| Hallsville Road | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 60.4 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Piney Green, NC.
1
Start on North Salem Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Salem Street
2
Turn left onto NC 55
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Williams Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll East
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Triangle Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
6
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
7
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
9
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
10
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
11
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
12
Turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
13
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
14
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
NC 111
16
Merge onto US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
17
Continue on NC 24; NC 53
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
NC 24; NC 53
18
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Louis W. Sewell, Jr. Bridge
19
Continue on US 17; NC 24; I 97
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24; NC 53; I 397
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Ronald W. Reagan Freeway
21
Merge onto NC 24; NC 53
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Piney Green Road
309 ft
·
9 sec
·
Piney Green Road
23
Turn right
39 ft
·
5 sec
24
Turn right
264 ft
·
21 sec
25
At end of road, turn uturn onto NC 24
171 ft
·
7 sec
·
Freedom Way
26
Arrive at destination
NC 24
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 47-minute trip, starting your drive in the morning will allow you to reach Piney Green with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 60.4-mile segment on I-40, to ensure you have enough to reach a convenient exit. The $21 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or traffic.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.1 miles from Apex, NC, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Piney Green, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apex, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apex, NC
This is one driving day of about 134.2 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Apex, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 60.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 134.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NC 55 / East Williams Street
Turn left onto NC 55 / East Williams Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NC 540 Toll East
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
8
21.9 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
6
134.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
NC 24 / Freedom Way
At end of road, turn uturn onto NC 24 / Freedom Way
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.99 one way
$41.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.95 | $45.89 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.84 | $49.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.63 | $59.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| Efficient EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.74 | $5.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Piney Green, NC
Late night in Piney Green on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Mount Olive, NC
67 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-dominant experience on this route, with 76% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.4 miles along I-40, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed corridors, the transition onto NC 111 will introduce a slightly different character as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a generally efficient and uncomplicated driving experience.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Triangle Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near NC 55 / East Williams Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 134.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (NC 55 / East Williams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Apex, NC and Piney Green, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Kenansville.
Wilmington
23.6 mi in
|
~29m
|
via I 40
Kenansville
83.2 mi in
|
~1h 33m
|
via NC 24
About the Cities
Starting in Apex, NC
Full guide →Apex, the "Peak City", is a town near Raleigh in the state of North Carolina.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 134.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Piney Green, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (NC 55 / East Williams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Piney Green, NC before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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