Raleigh to Buxton is 240.9 miles and takes about 5h 7m via US 64 and NC 12, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the coast. You'll primarily be on highways for most of the drive, making it a straightforward path. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route to the Outer Banks.
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
120.5 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
105.8 mi
2h 1m
United States Highway 64 East
40.5 mi
49m
NC 12
24.6 mi
42m
Cape Hatteras National Park Road
23.6 mi
33m
US 64 ALT
20.2 mi
28m
I 87
20 mi
21m
U.S. Highway 64 East
2.3 mi
3m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 105.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-440
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,012 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,775
Quietest
2 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Buxton, 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 left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.8 mi·3 min·I 87; I 440; US 64
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64
17 mi·18 min·I 87; US 64
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, GreenvilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
80 mi·1 hr 26 min·US 64
9
Turn right onto US 64 ALT
20 mi·28 min·US 64 ALT
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 64; NC 32
1.0 mi·1 min·United States Highway 64 East
11
Continue on US 64; NC 32
2.3 mi·3 min·U.S. Highway 64 East
12
Continue on US 64
40 mi·47 min·United States Highway 64 East
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
26 mi·35 min·US 64
14
Continue on US 64; SR 1540
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Virginia Dare Trail
15
Turn right onto NC 12
24 mi·33 min·Cape Hatteras National Park Road
16
Enter roundabout onto NC 12
71 ft·1 sec·NC 12
17
Continue on NC 12
25 mi·42 min·NC 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left
99 ft·8 sec
19
Turn right
12 ft·1 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Raleigh to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to stop. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 105 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before heading out and be mindful of your gas gauge. You'll want to fill up before leaving US 64, as services might be more spread out on NC 12. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but sticking to the main roads will keep you on schedule.
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 120.5 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buxton, 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 240.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 US 64 for about 105.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 103.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Blount Street
Turn right onto South Blount Street
Navigation decision point
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.
6
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 87; I 440; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64 toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rock...
8
6.5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 87; US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64 toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
6
103.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 64 ALT
Turn right onto US 64 ALT
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.83 one way
$69.65 round trip
$3.67/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.30
$78.61
premium
$4.55
$43.17
$86.34
diesel
$5.65
$53.62
$107.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.3
0
$25.29
$11.56
Efficient EV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
EV Truck/SUV
96.4
1
$33.73
$15.42
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Morning
in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Rain
N 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:41AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
Destination
Buxton, NC
Morning
in Buxton on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 35 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 17 at 5:51AM EDT until October 20 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:41AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA
53°F
Plymouth, NC
120 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
10 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
5h 7m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
National Seashore
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants,...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 232.6
Park Closure: Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Park Closure: Partial Beach Closures in Place in Front of Buxton Village
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$10
near mile 191.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 89% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 105.8 miles on US 64 before transitioning. Expect the highway portion to feel like consistent cruising, with fewer distractions. The final section will likely involve more local roads as you approach your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on US 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Highway 64 East. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Blount Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 240.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (South Blount Street): Navigation decision point; 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 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 240.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on US 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Buxton, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Blount Street): Navigation decision point; 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 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buxton, NC before the return drive.
