Raleigh, NC to Bayshore, NC is 127.1 miles and takes about 2h 23m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, making it a straightforward drive across the Southeast region. Given its relatively short distance and focus on major highways, this route is ideal for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on interstate, so expect a consistent pace and minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.5 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
105.4 mi
1h 52m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.3 mi
11m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
4.7 mi
5m
US 17
1.2 mi
2m
Marsh Oaks Drive
0.9 mi
3m
Hammond Road
0.7 mi
1m
South Blount Street
0.6 mi
1m
East South Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Bayshore, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
506 ft·21 sec·East South Street
2
Turn right onto South Blount Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blount Street
3
Continue on Hammond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Hammond Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 40; US 64
2.2 mi·2 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 17 North: Topsail Island, New Bern
13
Merge onto NC 140
4.7 mi·5 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 17 Business South: Wilmington
15
Continue on US 17
1.2 mi·2 min·US 17
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn slight left onto Marsh Oaks Drive
0.9 mi·3 min·Marsh Oaks Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Marsh Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1-day trip of just over 2 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Raleigh in the morning will get you to Bayshore well before evening. With the longest stretch being 105.4 miles on I-40, plan for one fuel stop if your vehicle's range is less than that, though your estimated fuel cost is only $20. Given the highway-focused nature, rest stops will be readily available at exits along I-40. Keep an eye out for the transition off I-40 as you approach your final destination in Bayshore.
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 63.5 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.5 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayshore, 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.
+
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 Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 127.1 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Raleigh, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 105.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 119.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge onto I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway toward I 40 East: Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
6
11.9 mi into trip|~15m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
6
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17 North: Topsail Island, New Bern
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 17 North: Topsail Island, New Bern
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.88 one way
$39.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.73
$43.46
premium
$4.70
$23.52
$47.05
diesel
$5.61
$28.06
$56.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.1
0
$13.35
$6.10
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.12
$5.08
EV Truck/SUV
50.8
0
$17.79
$8.13
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 0 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bayshore, NC
Late night
in Bayshore on Sunday
Local time
12:21 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
14 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 23m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 109.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-40 and the Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 105.4 miles on I-40, offering a steady pace for most of your travel. The route maintains a highway character throughout, meaning you'll spend most of your time on fast-moving interstates with limited exposure to slower, local roads. Expect a practical and efficient transit rather than a winding scenic tour.
96% 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: 105.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 127.1 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 1.6 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 11.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Raleigh, NC and Bayshore, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and New Bern.
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 127.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 40. 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 Bayshore, 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 1.6 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 11.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bayshore, NC before heading back.
