Origin
Monroe, NC
Late night in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monroe, NC to Apex, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
131.6 mi
212 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monroe, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Monroe, NC, to Apex, NC? This 131.6-mile drive will take you about 2 hours and 51 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable one-day excursion. Expect to spend around $21 on fuel for this journey through North Carolina's Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes Fayetteville Road and US 1, offering a mixed driving experience that's not overly demanding. With a single recommended stop, you can comfortably complete this drive without needing an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
65.8 miles from Monroe, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Road | 43.4 mi | 52m |
| US 1 | 38.8 mi | 44m |
| Andrew Jackson Highway | 15.6 mi | 21m |
| W. Cliff Martin Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| US 74 BUS | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| West Marshville Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Carroll M. Edwards Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Caswell Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Fayetteville Road
— 43.4 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on NC 207
276 ft
·
6 sec
·
Skyway Drive
2
Continue on NC 207
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Hayne Street
3
Turn left onto East Franklin Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Franklin Street
4
Turn right onto US 74; US 601
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Roosevelt Boulevard
5
Continue on US 74
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 74
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Marshville Boulevard
7
Continue on US 74
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carroll M. Edwards Highway
8
Continue on US 74
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
W. Cliff Martin Highway
10
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salisbury Street
11
Continue on US 52; US 74; NC 742
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Caswell Street
12
Continue on US 74
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Andrew Jackson Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 74 BUS
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Green Street
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
43 mi
·
52 min
·
Fayetteville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
17
Merge onto US 1
39 mi
·
44 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 95
Toward NC 55: Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina
19
Turn left onto NC 55
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Williams Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Hughes Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hughes Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto SR 1010
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Center Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
51 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
For this 131.6-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid any potential midday traffic. With a duration of just under 3 hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day, so flexibility is key. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, keeping your fuel cost around $21. Keep an eye out for the transition as you move from Fayetteville Road onto US 1; this is a good point to check your navigation and ensure you're on the right track for Apex.
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 65.8 miles from Monroe, NC, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 29 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 31m 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 21m
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 Monroe, 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 Monroe, NC
This is one driving day of about 131.6 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Monroe, 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 Fayetteville Road for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Monroe, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 40.7 and 131.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
40.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 74 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto US 74 BUS toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 306
Toward I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business Ea...
6
47 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 1 / Fayetteville Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Fayetteville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward NC 55: Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward NC 55: Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varin...
6
131.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
South Hughes Street
Turn right onto South Hughes Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
131.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
$20.58 one way
$41.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.36 | $48.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.06 | $58.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Apex, NC
Late night in Apex on Sunday
Local time
12:15 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
25 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 51m 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?
This route presents a mixed drive, with 34% of it on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road, which can offer a steady pace. The journey incorporates sections of Fayetteville Road, US 1, and Andrew Jackson Highway, suggesting a varied experience that transitions between different road types. It's not an all-highway trek, nor is it a constant series of winding backroads, providing a balanced driving feel.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Fayetteville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.7 miles in near US 74 BUS.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 131.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.7 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47 miles (US 1 / Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Monroe, NC to Apex, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Asheboro along the way.
Asheboro
40.7 mi in
|
~59m
|
via US 74 BUS
About the Cities
Starting in Monroe, NC
Full guide →Monroe is a small city in North Carolina. It is in Union County, on U.S. Highway 74. It has a close association with Charlotte, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Monroe's population is slightly under 27,000. It used to be populated mostly by White and African-Americans; however, the city's Hispanic population has spiked dramatically.
Arriving in Apex, NC
Full guide →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 51m. Total distance: 131.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Fayetteville Road. 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 40.7 miles (US 74 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47 miles (US 1 / Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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