Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Jacksonville, NC to Apex, NC

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

124.2 mi

200 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 25m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States

Jacksonville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Apex, NC, NC

Apex, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 124.2-mile journey from Jacksonville, NC to Apex, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 35 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical option for a day trip, making it perfect for a quick move or visit. You'll spend about 66% of your time on highways, with one significant stretch of 59.8 miles on NC 24. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout. This route is well-suited for a single day, requiring no overnight stops.

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

62.1 miles from Jacksonville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NC 24 59.8 mi 1h 4m
Catherine Lake Road 14.4 mi 21m
Triangle Expressway 13.9 mi 14m
Richlands Highway 6.4 mi 9m
Jackson Store Road 6.3 mi 8m
NC 50 5.1 mi 6m
Hallsville Road 4.4 mi 5m
South Kenansville Bypass 3.9 mi 5m
Longest stretch: NC 24 — 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, NC and Apex, NC.

1

Start on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business

1.1 mi · 1 min · Marine Boulevard
2

Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business

1.4 mi · 2 min · Richlands Highway
3

Continue on US 258; NC 24

5.0 mi · 7 min · Richlands Highway
4

Turn left onto NC 111

14 mi · 21 min · Catherine Lake Road
5

Turn right onto SR 1800

6.3 mi · 8 min · Jackson Store Road
6

At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road

4.4 mi · 5 min · Hallsville Road
7

At end of road, turn right onto NC 50

5.1 mi · 6 min · NC 50
8

Turn left onto D S Williams Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · D S Williams Road
9

Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903

3.9 mi · 5 min · South Kenansville Bypass
10

Take the exit onto NC 24

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · NC 24
Use the right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
13

Turn left onto SR 1010

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on SR 1010

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cleveland School Road
15

Turn right onto NC 50

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Benson Road
Use the right lane.
16

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex Use the left lane.
17

Merge onto NC 540 Toll

14 mi · 14 min · Triangle Expressway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

212 ft · 7 sec
Toward NC 55 West: Apex Use the right lane.
20

Merge onto NC 55

2.9 mi · 5 min · NC 55
Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto South Hughes Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Hughes Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto SR 1010

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Center Street
23

At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street

51 ft · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
24

Arrive at destination

North Salem Street

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour and 35-minute duration and 124.2-mile length, this drive offers plenty of flexibility. You could depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or even head out after work if needed. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $20, you won't need to worry much about extensive planning for gas or extended breaks. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the Triangle Expressway as you approach Apex, as this can be a busier section. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this NC-to-NC trip.

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 62.1 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 27 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 4m

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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, NC

This is one driving day of about 124.2 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Jacksonville, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Mount Olive, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Olive, NC

62 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

Beulaville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Olive, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from Jacksonville, 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.

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hampton Inn Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Universal Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Lake Benson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 42.4 and 124.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
42.4 mi into trip | ~1h in | NC 24

Take the exit onto NC 24

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
106.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the ramp toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex
6
120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Take the exit toward NC 55: Apex

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward NC 55: Apex
8
120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NC 55 West: Apex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward NC 55 West: Apex
8
124.2 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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

$19.42 one way

$38.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $21.24 $42.47
premium $4.70 $22.99 $45.97
diesel $5.61 $27.42 $54.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.3 0 $13.04 $5.96
Efficient EV 31.1 0 $10.87 $4.97
EV Truck/SUV 49.7 0 $17.39 $7.95

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (65% 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

Jacksonville, NC

Late night in Jacksonville on Tuesday

Local time

5:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Apex, NC

Late night in Apex on Tuesday

Local time

5:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Mount Olive, NC

62 mi in

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 35m 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 drive that's primarily on highways, making up 66% of the total distance. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted segment of 59.8 miles along NC 24, offering a good chance to settle into a rhythm. The route transitions between different road types, with Catherine Lake Road and the Triangle Expressway also forming key parts of your journey. This blend means you'll experience both faster-paced highway driving and potentially some more varied road conditions as you get closer to your destination.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on NC 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near NC 24.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 124.2 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

499 ft 14 ft

Total Climb

501 ft

Total Descent

16 ft

Highest Point

499 ft

~124.2 mi in

Elevation Range

485 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Jacksonville, NC

Full guide →

Jacksonville is the county seat of Onslow County, North Carolina. The home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Jacksonville is in North Carolina's Inner Banks region, approximately a one hour away from the "Port City" Wilmington.

Arriving in Apex, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1873

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 2h 35m. Total distance: 124.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24. 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 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Apex, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Apex, NC

Hendersonville, NC 252.2 mi · 5h 4m Pinehurst, NC 180.8 mi · 3h 51m Newton, NC 158 mi · 3h 14m Charlotte, NC 151.5 mi · 3h 3m

More from Jacksonville, NC

Albemarle, NC 367 mi · 7h 12m Archdale, NC 275.6 mi · 5h 49m Kings Mountain, NC 271.5 mi · 5h 45m Belmont, NC 253.1 mi · 5h 24m Eden, NC 214.2 mi · 4h 18m Kernersville, NC 212.6 mi · 4h 14m

More trips to Apex, NC

Elizabeth City, NC 178.1 mi Belmont, NC 138.1 mi Statesville, NC 135.8 mi Monroe, NC 131.6 mi Kannapolis, NC 127.7 mi Roanoke Rapids, NC 101.6 mi
Escape planner: Jacksonville, NC Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from Jacksonville, NC or browse trips ending in Apex, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.