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Trip from Hemby Bridge, NC to Raleigh, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

151.8 mi

244 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hemby Bridge, NC, NC

Hemby Bridge, NC

Mark Stebnicki

city in and state capital of North Carolina, United States of America

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 151.8-mile drive from Hemby Bridge, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes. You'll primarily travel on US 1 and Fayetteville Road, with a portion on the Monroe Expressway, making for a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route through the Southeast region of North Carolina offers a straightforward journey. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing to break it up over multiple days.

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

75.9 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 1 48 mi 54m
Fayetteville Road 43.4 mi 52m
Monroe Expressway 16.4 mi 19m
W. Cliff Martin Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Andrew Jackson Highway 10.2 mi 13m
US 74 BUS 5.3 mi 7m
Western Boulevard 3.1 mi 5m
West Marshville Boulevard 2.9 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 1 — 48 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hemby Bridge, NC and Raleigh, NC.

1

Start on Indian Trail Fairview Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Indian Trail Fairview Road
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham Use the right lane.
3

Merge onto US 74 BYP

16 mi · 19 min · Monroe Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Merge onto US 74

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 74

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
6

Continue on US 74

2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
7

Continue on US 74

6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74

6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
9

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salisbury Street
10

Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Caswell Street
11

Continue on US 74

10 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 74 BUS
Exit 306 Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto West Green Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Green Street
14

At end of road, turn left onto US 1

43 mi · 52 min · Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 42 sec
16

Merge onto US 1

48 mi · 54 min · US 1
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

446 ft · 9 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
19

Turn straight onto Western Boulevard

3.1 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
21

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street
22

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street
23

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 12-minute trip, leaving in the morning is a good bet to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Raleigh. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 151.8 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $24, and plan your last fill-up before hitting the longer 48-mile stretch on US 1 to ensure a smooth continuation. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than planning overnight stays.

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 75.9 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48 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 33 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 75.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 37m

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 Hemby Bridge, 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 Hemby Bridge, NC

This is one driving day of about 151.8 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hemby Bridge, 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 1 for about 48 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hamlet, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hamlet, NC

76 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.

Popular next leg

Hamlet, NC to Raleigh, NC

95.6 mi · 1h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Wingate, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carthage, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Hemby Bridge, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indian Trail, North Carolina

0.2 mi

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cary, North Carolina

2.5 mi

Best coffee break

Hdmona Cafe Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Matthews, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17046285072

Visit website

Creama Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshville, North Carolina

2.4 mi

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, North Carolina

3 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

The Bridge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+17048825555

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Hdmona Cafe Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Matthews, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17046285072

Visit website

Creama Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Marshville, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17048908646

Visit website

Sorella Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Monroe, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Crossroads Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Vass, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19102454504

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rockingham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Southern Pines, North Carolina

+19105853212

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lilesville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

The Pint Sized Pasture

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

+19194984466

Visit website

Kiwanis Family Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+19197758247

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 147.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 74 Toll Bypass East: Rockingham
9
49.3 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | US 74 BUS

Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 306 Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
6
55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 1 / Fayetteville Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Fayetteville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
147.5 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Take the exit toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

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 Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
6
147.8 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.74 one way

$47.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $25.96 $51.91
premium $4.70 $28.09 $56.19
diesel $5.61 $33.52 $67.03

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: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.5 0 $15.94 $7.29
Efficient EV 38 0 $13.28 $6.07
EV Truck/SUV 60.7 0 $21.25 $9.72

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hemby Bridge, NC

Morning in Hemby Bridge on Tuesday

Local time

7:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Clear

SW 6 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 8:16PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

7:11 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

16 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 12m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 46% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 48 miles along US 1, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. While not exclusively highway, the mix of main roads like US 1 and Fayetteville Road, along with the Monroe Expressway, provides a varied driving experience that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding. This blend means you'll experience different road types as you progress toward Raleigh.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48 mi on US 1.

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 0.9 miles in.

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 151.8 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 1 / Fayetteville Road): 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.

On the drive from Hemby Bridge, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheboro along the way.

Asheboro

49.3 mi in | ~1h 6m | via US 74 BUS

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: 151.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 48 miles on US 1. 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 1 / Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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