Origin
Elizabeth City, NC
Morning in Elizabeth City on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth City, NC to Apex, 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 30m
Distance
178.1 mi
287 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth City, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 178.1-mile drive from Elizabeth City, NC to Apex, NC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using South Hughes Boulevard and US 64 Bypass, with a significant portion on US 13. Given the relatively short duration and mixed driving profile, it's a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $28, making it an economical option. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your 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
89.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Hughes Boulevard | 63.9 mi | 1h 21m |
| US 13 | 56.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| US 64 Bypass | 38.9 mi | 41m |
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Dan K Moore Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| I 87 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| US 64 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
South Hughes Boulevard
— 63.9 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on Providence Road
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Providence Road
2
Turn right onto US 17
64 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
South Hughes Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 13; US 64
4
Continue on US 64 Bypass
39 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64 Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 87; I 440; US 64
6
Merge onto I 40; US 64
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 40; US 64
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
8
Continue on I 40; US 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
9
Continue on I 40; US 64
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Dan K Moore Freeway
10
Take the exit onto US 64
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 64
Toward I 440 East, US 1, US 64 West: Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford, Asheboro
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 64
Exit 293A
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Asheboro
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
16
Merge onto US 1; US 64
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 96
Toward Ten Ten Road
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Street
Use the left lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
51 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 30-minute drive, departing Elizabeth City in the morning is ideal to maximize your day in Apex. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 178.1 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 63.9 miles on South Hughes Boulevard, to ensure you're topped up. The $28 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra. Plan for a brief stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs and grab a quick refreshment.
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 89.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 39 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.1 miles or 1h 49m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apex, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, NC
This is one driving day of about 178.1 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Elizabeth City, 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 South Hughes Boulevard for about 63.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.1 miles from Elizabeth City, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Hughes Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.9 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 178.1 — 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
|
US 17 / South Hughes Boulevard
Turn right onto US 17 / South Hughes Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
170 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
9
170.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 293A
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
7
176.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward Ten Ten Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 96
Toward Ten Ten Road
7
178.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
North Salem Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.85 one way
$55.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.96 | $65.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.32 | $78.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.70 | $8.55 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.58 | $7.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.93 | $11.40 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Apex, NC
Morning in Apex on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
23 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
3h 30m 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 mixed drive on this route, with about 60% of the journey on highways. While there are stretches of faster-paced driving, it's not a constant interstate experience. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted segment of 63.9 miles on South Hughes Boulevard, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. The road character shifts as you progress, blending efficient highway travel with more local road conditions, providing a varied driving experience without being overly demanding. This blend ensures you're not stuck in a monotonous grind.
60% 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: 63.9 mi on South Hughes Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 17 / South Hughes Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 178.1 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 0.1 miles (US 17 / South Hughes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 170 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.4 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 3h 30m. Total distance: 178.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.9 miles on South Hughes Boulevard. 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 Apex, 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 (US 17 / South Hughes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 170 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.4 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Apex, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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