Lumberton, NC to Apex, NC is 100.4 miles and takes about 2h via I 95, I 40, and Triangle Expressway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive connects two points within North Carolina's Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for those looking for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.2 miles from Lumberton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
61.5 mi
1h 9m
I 40
14.2 mi
15m
Triangle Expressway
13.9 mi
14m
NC 55
2.9 mi
5m
Cleveland Road
1.6 mi
2m
Cleveland School Road
1.1 mi
1m
Carthage Road
1.1 mi
1m
Benson Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lumberton, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on North Water Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Water Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North Water Street
219 ft·3 sec·North Water Street
3
Continue on North Water Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Water Street
4
Turn straight onto Carthage Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carthage Road
5
Turn right onto Capuano Street
152 ft·6 sec·Capuano Street
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
7
Merge onto I 95; US 301
62 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 95; US 301
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, WilmingtonUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Raleigh
10
Merge onto I 40
14 mi·15 min·I 40
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: ApexUse 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: ApexUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
212 ft·7 sec
Toward NC 55 West: ApexUse 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 the short 2-hour duration, this is a perfect same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting early in the morning will help you avoid any potential mid-day traffic, especially as you approach the Triangle area. Plan for fuel stops before you leave Lumberton or on I 95, as the bulk of your travel is on the interstate. With only 100.4 miles, you won't need to worry about extensive breaks, but a quick stop at a service plaza on I 95 is always an option 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 50.2 miles from Lumberton, NC, or about 58m 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.2 miles or 58m 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 37m
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 Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, NC
This is one driving day of about 100.4 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lumberton, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 63.2 and 100.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
96.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
100.4 mi into trip|~2h 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
$15.70 one way
$31.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.17
$34.33
premium
$4.70
$18.58
$37.16
diesel
$5.61
$22.17
$44.33
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: 35.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
Efficient EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
EV Truck/SUV
40.2
0
$14.06
$6.43
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lumberton, NC
Late night
in Lumberton on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
W 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Apex, NC
Late night
in Apex on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
17 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on major roads like I 95, I 40, and the Triangle Expressway. Expect long stretches of uninterrupted driving, including one section of 61.5 miles solely on I 95. The character is predominantly that of a high-speed interstate cruise, designed for covering distance quickly. While there might be minor transitions between highways, the overall feel is one of consistent, fast-paced travel.
92% 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: 61.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 63.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 100.4 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 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lumberton, NC to Apex, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 100.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 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 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 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.
