Connecting Holly Springs to Raleigh via this 138.5-mile route takes approximately 2 hours and 49 minutes of travel time. Because the journey is relatively quick, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $22 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your Southeast travels. Navigating this path involves utilizing the Havelock Bypass, US 70, and the Goldsboro Bypass. While the trip stays within North Carolina, the transitions between these specific roads provide a straightforward, mixed-drive experience that is perfect for those who prefer efficiency over complexity.
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
69.2 miles from Holly Springs, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Havelock Bypass
51 mi
1h 1m
US 70
23.2 mi
29m
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
Lake Road
6.5 mi
8m
West New Bern Road
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Havelock Bypass
— 51 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holly Springs, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on SR 1124
1.3 mi·1 min·Nine Foot Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Lake Road
6.5 mi·8 min·Lake Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: New BernUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 70
51 mi·1 hr 1 min·Havelock Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.1 mi·1 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
10
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
14
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
15
Merge onto I 40
8.6 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rock Quarry Road
18
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rock Quarry Road
19
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
22
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Budget for at least one planned stop during the 138.5-mile journey to break up the time behind the wheel. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your tank levels before hitting the bypasses, as service availability can fluctuate along these specific corridors. Use your single stop strategically to stretch your legs after the longest 51-mile stretch on the Havelock Bypass. Being prepared for these transitions will help you maintain a steady pace as you navigate from Holly Springs toward your destination in Raleigh.
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 69.2 miles from Holly Springs, NC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.2 miles or 1h 25m 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 18m
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 Holly Springs, 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 Holly Springs, NC
This is one driving day of about 138.5 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Holly Springs, 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 Havelock Bypass for about 51 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 138.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Lake Road
At end of road, turn right onto Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
7.7 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward US 70 West: New Bern
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 70 West: New Bern
6
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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.
6
136 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
138.3 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.66 one way
$43.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.68
$47.36
premium
$4.70
$25.63
$51.27
diesel
$5.61
$30.58
$61.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
EV Truck/SUV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.86
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Holly Springs, NC
Late night
in Holly Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Late night
in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
12:48 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 49m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that blends highway efficiency with localized road segments. You will spend about 30% of your time on highways, which helps keep your travel time under three hours. The most significant portion of the drive occurs on the Havelock Bypass, where you can settle into your longest uninterrupted stretch of 51 miles. As you transition between the various bypasses and US 70, the road personality shifts from faster, controlled-access lanes to more varied conditions. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the changing road types ensure the drive remains engaging rather than purely monotonous.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51 mi on Havelock Bypass.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1.3 miles in near Lake Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 138.5 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 1.3 miles (Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 60.3 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51 miles on Havelock Bypass. 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. 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 1.3 miles (Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 60.3 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): 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.
