Origin
Beaufort, NC
Late night in Beaufort on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beaufort, NC to Raleigh, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
153 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beaufort, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Beaufort, NC to Raleigh, NC is 153 miles and takes about 3h 12m via US 70, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused journey takes you from the Southeast coast inland towards the state capital, remaining within North Carolina for the entire trip. It's a straightforward drive, primarily utilizing US 70 and its bypasses, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a practical, no-frills experience that efficiently connects these two points.
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
76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 70 | 97.4 mi | 2h 5m |
| Goldsboro Bypass | 20.2 mi | 21m |
| US 70 BYP | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 10 mi | 11m |
| I 40 | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| West New Bern Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Vernon Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on Ann Street
298 ft
·
12 sec
·
Ann Street
2
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Turner Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70
74 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 42
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
8
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
10 mi
·
14 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi
·
12 min
·
US 70 BYP
12
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13
Merge onto I 40
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
16
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
17
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
20
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour drive time, this route offers excellent flexibility for departure. Leaving Beaufort, NC in the morning allows ample time to reach Raleigh, NC before evening, with a fuel cost estimated around $24. While the longest stretch without a major road change is 97.4 miles on US 70, it's wise to plan for a brief stop midway for fuel or a stretch, perhaps around the Goldsboro area, before continuing the final leg. This approach ensures a comfortable and uninterrupted drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 39m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC
This is one driving day of about 153 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Beaufort, 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 US 70 for about 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.4 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 152.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Turner Street
Turn right onto Turner Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
142 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
150.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
6
152.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.93 one way
$47.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.16 | $52.32 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.32 | $56.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.78 | $67.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.39 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.42 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Raleigh, NC
Late night in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
National Seashore
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Passenger Ferry Dock Closed
Danger: High Fire Danger and Fire Ban
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 76% of it taking place on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a significant continuous stretch of 97.4 miles on US 70, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. While the primary roads are US 70 and its bypasses like the Goldsboro Bypass, the overall character is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes directness and speed.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and Goldsboro Bypass. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Turner Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Raleigh, NC
Full guide →The capital of North Carolina and the largest city of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is the primary political and economic driver of the metro area. Indeed, business and politics are the main draws to Raleigh, which lacks the more trendy feel or active arts scene of Durham or Chapel Hill to the west. However, a concerted effort to expand the residential base and move events downtown has led to significantly expanded retail and restaurant options in the downtown core. Also, visitors will find many of the state's cultural institutions here, namely a major performing arts center downtown and three state museums, and a college town atmosphere in the neighborhood around the campus of North Carolina State University, the state's largest university.
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 3h 12m. Total distance: 153 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m 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 97.4 miles on US 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Raleigh, 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cape Lookout National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Raleigh, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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