If you are planning to travel from Raleigh to Archdale, expect a straightforward trip covering 91.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this journey in about 1 hour and 51 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Because the duration is under two hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. This route relies on a combination of the Dan K. Moore Freeway, I-40, and I-85 to connect the cities efficiently. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dan K. Moore Frwy
61.5 mi
1h 11m
I 40
7.7 mi
9m
I 85
7.2 mi
7m
US 29
5.4 mi
5m
Wade Avenue
3.7 mi
4m
Western Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
2m
Gorman Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dan K. Moore Frwy
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Archdale, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East South Street
2
Turn left onto South Salisbury Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Salisbury Street
3
Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi·57 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
4
Continue on Western Boulevard
2.5 mi·4 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto Gorman Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on Faircloth Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Faircloth Street
7
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·Wade Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi·3 min·Wade Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
5.4 mi·5 min·US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: CharlotteUse the left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
7.2 mi·7 min·I 85
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward Archdale, Downtown High Point
14
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 1 hour and 51 minute drive in one go, so there is no pressure to plot out rest breaks along the way. Keep in mind that the route's turn-heavy nature requires steady attention, especially when transitioning off the main highway stretches. Aim to fill your tank before you leave to keep your total fuel costs near the $15 estimate. Because the longest stretch is over 60 miles, make sure you are comfortable with the highway portion before you encounter the more localized turns closer to Archdale.
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 45.7 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 57m 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 57m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Archdale, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Raleigh, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 91.4 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Raleigh, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dan K. Moore Frwy 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in|Gorman Street
Turn right onto Gorman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
4.4 mi into trip|~9m in|Wade Avenue
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.2 mi into trip|~13m in|I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge onto I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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.
8
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.29 one way
$28.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.63
$31.26
premium
$4.70
$16.92
$33.83
diesel
$5.61
$20.18
$40.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.60
$4.39
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.00
$3.66
EV Truck/SUV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Late night
in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 0 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Archdale, NC
Late night
in Archdale on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Hillsborough, NC
46 mi in
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
2 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
1h 51m 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?
Expect a trip defined by its turn-heavy local feel, despite spending only 22% of the time on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating, with a significant 61.5-mile stretch on the Dan K. Moore Freeway acting as your longest uninterrupted segment. The transition between fast-paced interstate travel and winding local roads keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. While parts of the journey offer the speed of I-40 and I-85, be prepared to adjust to the more technical demands of the local portions. This shift in pace ensures that you remain engaged throughout the 91.4-mile commute.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on Dan K. Moore Frwy.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near Gorman Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.4 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: at 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 91.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on Dan K. Moore Frwy. 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 Archdale, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 40 / Dan K. Moore Frwy.): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Archdale, NC before heading back.
