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Trip from Mount Pleasant, 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

2h 38m

Distance

113.1 mi

182 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 32m

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 Mount Pleasant, NC, NC

Mount Pleasant, NC

Mark Stebnicki

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

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 113.1-mile journey from Mount Pleasant, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via NC 49, US 64, and Jordan Road, with about 60% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $18, making it an economical option. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, and with only one recommended stop, you can keep moving efficiently. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward drive across North Carolina.

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

56.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NC 49 40.3 mi 53m
US 64 27.4 mi 36m
Jordan Road 24.3 mi 35m
Richard K. Pugh Highway 7.1 mi 10m
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway 5.4 mi 6m
West Dixie Drive 3.5 mi 6m
Western Boulevard 3.1 mi 5m
North Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: NC 49 — 40.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NC 73

135 ft · 15 sec · West Franklin Street
2

Turn sharp left onto North Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
3

Turn right onto NC 49

40 mi · 52 min · NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on NC 49

0.2 mi · 38 sec · NC 49
5

Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49

3.5 mi · 6 min · West Dixie Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on US 64 BUS; NC 49

7.1 mi · 10 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 64; NC 49

24 mi · 35 min · Jordan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

27 mi · 35 min · US 64
Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit onto US 64

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 64
Exit 404B Toward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh
10

Merge onto US 1; US 64

5.4 mi · 6 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

446 ft · 9 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
13

Turn straight onto Western Boulevard

3.1 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
15

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street
16

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street
17

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving Mount Pleasant mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a leisurely arrival in Raleigh. With only one suggested stop and a manageable fuel cost of $18, extensive planning isn't necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 40.3-mile stretch on NC 49, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.

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 56.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, NC, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 25 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.5 miles or 1h 19m 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 9m

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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, NC

This is one driving day of about 113.1 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 49 for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Asheboro, NC

57 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

Badin, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Asheboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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.

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

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cary, North Carolina

0.6 mi

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

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.1 mi from route

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Siler City, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Pittsboro, North Carolina

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Asheboro, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Asheboro, North Carolina

+18333994638

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

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 109.1 — 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 | North Main Street

Turn sharp left onto North Main Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
76 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 64

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
103 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 64

Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 404B Toward US 1 North, US 64 East: Raleigh
7
108.8 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

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 Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
6
109.1 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.69 one way

$35.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.34 $38.68
premium $4.70 $20.93 $41.86
diesel $5.61 $24.97 $49.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.9 0 $11.88 $5.43
Efficient EV 28.3 0 $9.90 $4.52
EV Truck/SUV 45.2 0 $15.83 $7.24

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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

Mount Pleasant, NC

Morning in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday

Local time

9:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

9:38 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 38m 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 mixed driving experience on this route, blending highway speeds with potentially more local road conditions. With 60% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter some faster stretches, but the presence of NC 49, US 64, and Jordan Road indicates a transition to more varied roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 40.3 miles on NC 49, so be prepared for a period of consistent driving before potential changes in scenery or road type. This isn't a pure interstate cruise, nor is it exclusively rural backroads; it's a practical blend.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.3 mi on NC 49.

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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

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 113.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 76 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 2h 38m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.3 miles on NC 49. 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 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 (North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 76 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles (US 64): 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 Raleigh, 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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