Manteo, NC to Greensboro, NC is 260.6 miles and takes about 5h 19m via US 64 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, taking you from the coast to the Piedmont region. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a straightforward transit. You can expect to complete this in a single day, so you'll have flexibility with your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.3 miles from Manteo, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
67.3 mi
1h 27m
US 13
58.3 mi
1h 3m
I 85
42.3 mi
48m
US 64 Bypass
27.8 mi
29m
US 64 BYP
18.4 mi
24m
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi
16m
South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi
12m
Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,018 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~466 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manteo, NC and Greensboro, NC.
1
Start on US 64
1.5 mi·3 min·N US Highway 64
2
Take the ramp
180 ft·5 sec
3
Merge onto US 64 BYP
18 mi·24 min·US 64 BYP
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
67 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 64
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
1.8 mi·2 min·US 13; US 17
6
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 13; US 64
7
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi·29 min·US 64 Bypass
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
9
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft·7 sec
Exit 14Toward Rolesville Road
10
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Rolesville Road
11
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Marks Creek Road
12
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Horton Road
13
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi·6 min·Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·23 sec
15
Merge onto I 540
15 mi·16 min·Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 70 West: DurhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 70
2.5 mi·3 min·New Raleigh Highway
19
Continue on US 70
9.3 mi·12 min·South Miami Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
42 mi·48 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NC 6Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto East Gate City Boulevard
3.4 mi·7 min·East Gate City Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto South Eugene Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Eugene Street
25
Turn right onto West Market Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Market Street
26
Arrive at destination
West Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and 90% highway driving, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before the 67.3-mile stretch on US 64, as services might be more spread out there. The route is mostly highway, so plan to refuel and take breaks at larger service areas to maximize your time on the road.
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 130.3 miles from Manteo, NC, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 57 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greensboro, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manteo, 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 Manteo, NC
This is one driving day of about 260.6 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Manteo, 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 64 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Raleigh, North Carolina
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19198484161
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.9 and 253 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.9 mi into trip|~28m in|US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
173.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
6
196.5 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 70 West: Durham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 70 West: Durham
6
210.7 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|I 85; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
253 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.47 one way
$76.95 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.28
$84.56
premium
$4.49
$46.09
$92.17
diesel
$4.80
$49.21
$98.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
Efficient EV
65.2
0
$22.80
$10.42
EV Truck/SUV
104.2
1
$36.48
$16.68
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Manteo, NC
Late night
in Manteo on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Greensboro, NC
Late night
in Greensboro on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:31AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
3 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
5h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
National Memorial
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the 260.6 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a 67.3-mile stretch on US 64 before transitioning to other routes. The high highway percentage means you'll experience fewer stops and more consistent speeds for most of the drive.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in near US 64.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 260.6 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 19.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Manteo is a town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Much of the fun in visiting Manteo, as with most of the Outer Banks, is visiting during the summer. Some of Manteo's staples run all year round, such as the Christmas Shop, but some of the attractions are seasonal, such as the Lost Colony performances. Manteo also provides some nice shopping and dining opportunities for those who are in other areas of the Outer Banks, such as neighboring Nags Head.
Greensboro is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in North Carolina. It is named after Nathanael Greene, a Patriot general who fought a battle here during the Revolutionary War. It's nicknamed the "Gate City" for its historical role as a transportation hub for the Piedmont. The famous author William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born here. It can be sleepy and genteel but is enjoying a newfound reputation as a great place for young people. Downtown especially is experiencing a surfeit of bars, music venues and restaurants. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point are the three cities that make up the Piedmont Triad, halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte.
Top landmarks
•Guilford Courthouse National Military Park — site maintained by the U.S. National Park Service commemorating the battle
•Greensboro Science Center — science museum and zoological park
•Grimsley High School — public school in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 260.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Greensboro, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wright Brothers National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Greensboro, NC before the return drive.
