Origin
Fairmont, NC
Morning in Fairmont on Tuesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairmont, NC to Raleigh, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
104 mi
167 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairmont, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 104-mile drive from Fairmont, NC to Raleigh, NC is a straightforward trip, estimated to take just over 2 hours. It's perfectly suited as a single-day journey, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within North Carolina. With an estimated fuel cost of around $16, it's an economical option for getting from the Southeast region to the capital city. Expect a generally practical and direct experience on this drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Fairmont, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 61.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 40 | 26.7 mi | 29m |
| North Walnut Street | 10.1 mi | 16m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Carthage Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Rock Quarry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Water Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Wilmington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairmont, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on NC 41
355 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn slight right onto NC 41
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Byrd Street
3
Continue on NC 41
10 mi
·
16 min
·
North Walnut Street
4
Continue on Apple Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Apple Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto West 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 5th Street
6
Turn left onto North Water Street
393 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Water Street
7
Enter roundabout onto North Water Street
219 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Water Street
8
Continue on North Water Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Water Street
9
Turn straight onto Carthage Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Carthage Road
10
Turn right onto Capuano Street
152 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capuano Street
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
12
Merge onto I 95; US 301
62 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 95; US 301
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 West: Raleigh
15
Merge onto I 40
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
19
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
20
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
23
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a same-day excursion. Leaving in the morning, perhaps between 9 AM and 10 AM, should help you avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic as you near Raleigh. Since there are no designated stops, be prepared to manage your own breaks, especially during the 61.5-mile stretch on I-95. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $16 cost suggests you'll want to fill up before embarking or at a convenient point along I-95 if needed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52 miles from Fairmont, NC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, NC
This is one driving day of about 104 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fairmont, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 61.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52 miles from Fairmont, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 103.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.5 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
West 5th Street
At end of road, turn right onto West 5th Street
Navigation decision point
7
73.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
6
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
101.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
103.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.26 one way
$32.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.78 | $35.56 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.25 | $38.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.92 | $4.99 |
| Efficient EV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.56 | $6.66 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
4 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
2h 8m 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?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 85% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll spend the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 61.5 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions onto I-40 and then North Walnut Street as you approach Raleigh, providing a clear progression. While it's largely an interstate grind, the shift in highway numbers signals your approach to the destination. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes getting you there efficiently.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near West 5th Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 104 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 10.5 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 73.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Fairmont, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
73.7 mi in
|
~1h 31m
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 2h 8m. Total distance: 104 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on I 95. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 73.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Raleigh, 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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