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Trip from Longview, 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 30m

Distance

176 mi

283 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 18m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 37m
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Longview, NC, NC

Longview, NC

Wikimedia Commons

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

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 176-mile drive from Longview, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Predominantly on I-40, with brief segments on Wade Avenue and Western Boulevard into Raleigh, the route is highly focused on highway travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for moving between these two North Carolina locations. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. This trip offers a practical and efficient way to cover the distance within the Southeast region.

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

88 miles from Longview, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 162.8 mi 3h 7m
Wade Avenue 3.9 mi 5m
Western Boulevard 2.5 mi 4m
2nd Avenue Southwest 2.2 mi 3m
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast 1.4 mi 2m
1st Avenue Southwest 0.9 mi 1m
Gorman Street 0.6 mi 1m
Faircloth Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 162.8 mi, about 3h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

30 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right

54 ft · 5 sec
3

Turn right onto 1st Avenue Southwest

0.9 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue Southwest
4

Continue on 2nd Avenue Southwest

2.2 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest
5

Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Tate Boulevard Southeast
6

Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 2 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
8

Merge onto I 40

86 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 40
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

30 mi · 34 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728

3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right onto Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street
15

Continue on Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street
19

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street
20

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 30-minute drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to avoid potential traffic as you enter Raleigh. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 162.8 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $28 estimated cost suggests it's a straightforward fill-up scenario. A practical tip for this route: utilize the efficient I-40 to maximize your travel time and consider a quick break around the halfway point if needed, though the drive is short enough that extended stops aren't necessary.

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 88 miles from Longview, NC, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.8 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 39 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88 miles or 1h 42m 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 49m

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 Longview, 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 Longview, NC

This is one driving day of about 176 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Longview, 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 I 40 for about 162.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

88 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

Greensboro, NC to Raleigh, NC

76.9 mi · 1h 37m

Pacing Suggestions

Maine, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

High Point, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88 miles from Longview, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.8 miles.

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

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

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

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

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

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 167.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

8
91.2 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
6
100.7 mi into trip | ~1h 58m 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.
7
137.5 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
167.8 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | SR 1728 / Wade Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.52 one way

$55.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $30.09 $60.19
premium $4.70 $32.57 $65.15
diesel $5.61 $38.86 $77.72

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

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.8 0 $18.48 $8.45
Efficient EV 44 0 $15.40 $7.04
EV Truck/SUV 70.4 0 $24.64 $11.26

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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Longview, NC

Morning in Longview on Tuesday

Local time

8:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

8:21 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

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 highway-focused experience for 92% of this 176-mile journey, primarily along I-40. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 162.8 miles on I-40, meaning you can settle in for a significant period of consistent driving. The character of the drive is largely that of efficient interstate travel, designed for covering ground quickly. As you approach Raleigh, the route transitions to Wade Avenue and Western Boulevard, offering a slight change in scenery and pace before reaching your destination.

92% 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: 162.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Wade Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

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 176 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 91.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 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.

On the drive from Longview, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.

Martinsville

91.2 mi in | ~1h 46m | via I 40

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 30m. Total distance: 176 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 162.8 miles on I 40. 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 91.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 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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