Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Mount Pleasant, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
213.2 mi
343 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Mount Pleasant, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Raleigh, NC to Mount Pleasant, NC is 213.2 miles and takes about 4h 35m via US 421, Dan K. Moore Frwy, and I-40, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a route that primarily uses highway miles, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is a good option for a quick getaway or to reach your destination efficiently.
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
106.6 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 421 | 79.3 mi | 1h 40m |
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 61.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 40 | 38.2 mi | 45m |
| NC 105 | 16.9 mi | 27m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Spanish Oak Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Western Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Newland Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 421
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,990 veh/hr typical · worst 4,778
Quietest
2 AM
~274 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Mount Pleasant, 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
18 mi
·
20 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 421
79 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 221; US 421
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 221; US 421
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 221; US 421 Truck; NC 105
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NC Highway 105 Extension
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on NC 105; US 221 Truck; US 321 Truck; US 421 Truck
17 mi
·
27 min
·
NC 105; US 221 Truck; US 321 Truck; US 421 Truck
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 221; NC 181
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mitchell Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on NC 181
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Newland Highway
21
Turn left onto Avery County High School Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Avery County High School Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto NC 194
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Millers Gap Highway
23
Turn left onto Spanish Oak Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Spanish Oak Road
24
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Road
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
Mount Pleasant Road
25
Arrive at destination
Mount Pleasant Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of around 4 hours and 35 minutes, this trip is easily doable in one day. Consider leaving Raleigh in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Mount Pleasant with plenty of time. The longest continuous stretch is 79.3 miles on US 421, so plan for a fuel stop before or after this segment if needed. Given the $33 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to check your fuel gauge before departing. Since it's a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but an early start is recommended for a relaxed pace.
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 106.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 47 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 213.2 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 421 for about 79.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 421 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.3 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.
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
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 108.1 — 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.
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
8
107.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 188
Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
7
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.87 one way
$67.74 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $36.93 | $73.86 |
| premium | $4.78 | $40.12 | $80.24 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $51.86 | $103.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64 | 0 | $22.39 | $10.23 |
| Efficient EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.66 | $8.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.3 | 1 | $29.85 | $13.64 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
N 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 19 at 8:05AM EDT until October 20 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 21 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Mount Pleasant, NC
Morning in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NNE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 19 at 8:05AM EDT until October 20 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 19 at 4:09AM EDT until October 21 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
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
6 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
4h 35m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 64% of the total distance on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 79.3 miles on US 421, which might feel like uninterrupted cruising. As you transition away from the highway segments, expect a change in the driving environment. The high highway percentage suggests a generally smooth ride with fewer interruptions until you reach the latter part of the trip.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on US 421.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 421 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 17 significant decision points across 213.2 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 89.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,829 ft
315 ft
Total Climb
3,790 ft
Total Descent
276 ft
Highest Point
3,829 ft
~213.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,514 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.
Between Raleigh, NC and Mount Pleasant, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Yadkinville.
Statesville
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 40
Yadkinville
107.9 mi in
|
~2h 10m
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 State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of North Carolina
- • Dorton Arena — arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
- • Raleigh Banking and Trust Company Building — historic building in North Carolina, US
Arriving in Mount Pleasant, NC
Full guide →Mount Pleasant is a town in Piedmont region of 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 4h 35m. Total distance: 213.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on US 421. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 11 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 89.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Pleasant, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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