Marion Rest Area - Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Bent Creek, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
254.9 mi
410 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Bent Creek, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Raleigh, NC to Bent Creek, NC is 254.9 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. It's a primarily highway drive, so expect relatively consistent speeds and straightforward navigation. With a recommended single day for the drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without multiple overnight stops.
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
127.5 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 180.6 mi | 3h 28m |
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 61.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Western Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Brevard Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 26 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Gorman Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bent Creek Ranch Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 180.6 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Bent Creek, 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 right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
153 mi
·
2 hr 54 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 26 East, US 74 East, US 64 Truck East: Hendersonville, Spartanburg
15
Merge onto I 26
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 26
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NC 191: Blue Ridge Parkway
17
Turn left onto NC 191
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Brevard Road
18
Turn right onto Bent Creek Ranch Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Bent Creek Ranch Road
19
Continue on Bent Creek Ranch Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bent Creek Ranch Road
20
Turn right onto Sarge Lane
198 ft
·
8 sec
·
Sarge Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Sarge Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, departing Raleigh early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid the worst of any potential traffic. Plan for one stop along the way; the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 180.6 miles on I 40, so consider a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you near Bent Creek, as services can become less frequent on the final approach. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 127.5 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.6 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bent Creek, 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 254.9 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Raleigh, 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 I 40 for about 180.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.5 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 180.6 miles.
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.
McDowell County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alamance County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Marion Rest Area - Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 89.9 — 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.
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.
6
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.54 one way
$81.09 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $44.21 | $88.41 |
| premium | $4.78 | $47.96 | $95.92 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $53.69 | $107.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.5 | 0 | $26.76 | $12.24 |
| Efficient EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102 | 1 | $35.69 | $16.31 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Wednesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
NE 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 5:36PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Bent Creek, NC
Afternoon in Bent Creek on Wednesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 5:36PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 3:15PM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
62°F
Maine, NC
127 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
27 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 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 71% of this 254.9-mile trip on highways, covering a significant 180.6 miles on I 40. This means extended periods of consistent cruising, punctuated by the usual highway transitions. Expect to encounter a higher density of exits as you approach and leave major areas before settling into more rural highway stretches. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur as you get closer to your final destination in Bent Creek.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 254.9 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 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,276 ft
310 ft
Total Climb
2,101 ft
Total Descent
212 ft
Highest Point
2,276 ft
~236.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,966 ft
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 Raleigh, NC to Bent Creek, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Statesville along the way.
Statesville
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 40
About the Cities
Starting in Raleigh, NC
Full guide →Founded 1770
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.
Top landmarks
- • North Carolina Museum of Art — state art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina
- • North Carolina State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of North Carolina
- • Dorton Arena — arena in Raleigh, 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 5h 1m. Total distance: 254.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Bent Creek, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bent Creek, NC before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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