Raleigh to Richlands is 259.2 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 40 and NC 226, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. You'll likely find this route practical for a single-day trip without feeling overly rushed.
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
129.6 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.1 mi
2h 40m
Dan K. Moore Frwy
61.5 mi
1h 11m
NC 226
18.1 mi
26m
South NC Highway 226
6.5 mi
9m
NC 197
6 mi
10m
Altapass Highway
4.5 mi
8m
Peppers Creek Road
4.5 mi
9m
Wade Avenue
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 85 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,029 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,658
Quietest
2 AM
~196 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Richlands, 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
120 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, StatesvilleUse the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward NC 226: Marion, Shelby
14
Turn right onto NC 226
15 mi·22 min·NC 226
15
Continue on US 221
1.2 mi·1 min·US 221
16
Turn left onto Peppers Creek Road
4.4 mi·9 min·Peppers Creek Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto Peppers Creek Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Peppers Creek Road
18
Turn right onto Altapass Highway
4.5 mi·8 min·Altapass Highway
19
Turn left onto US 19E
1.3 mi·2 min·US 19E
20
Turn right onto NC 226
6.5 mi·9 min·South NC Highway 226
21
Turn left onto NC 226A
3.7 mi·7 min·Mine Creek Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto NC 226
3.1 mi·4 min·NC 226
23
Turn slight left onto NC 197
1.9 mi·3 min·NC 197
24
Turn slight left onto NC 197
4.1 mi·7 min·NC 197
25
Turn right onto Pigeon Roost Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Pigeon Roost Road
26
Turn left onto Byrd Creek Road
1.9 mi·7 min·Byrd Creek Road
27
Arrive at destination
Byrd Creek Road
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving Raleigh in the morning should allow you to reach Richlands with plenty of daylight to spare. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing and can plan for one stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway stretches, as services can be spaced out. The $40 fuel estimate should cover the 259.2 miles, but it's always wise to fill up before heading out or when you see a good price along I 40.
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 129.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 57 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.6 miles or 2h 34m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richlands, 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 259.2 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 140.1 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 19
5 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
$40.51 one way
$81.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.35
$44.37
$88.74
premium
$4.72
$48.17
$96.33
diesel
$6.28
$64.04
$128.09
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: 90.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.8
0
$27.22
$12.44
Efficient EV
64.8
0
$22.68
$10.37
EV Truck/SUV
103.7
1
$36.29
$16.59
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 24, 2026
Origin
Raleigh, NC
Morning
in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 24 at 2:17PM EDT until October 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 24 at 2:17PM EDT until October 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Richlands, NC
Morning
in Richlands on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 24 at 2:17PM EDT until October 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 24 at 2:17PM EDT until October 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
5h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 67% of this drive on highways, you'll spend a significant amount of time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 140.1 miles on I 40. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a good number of exits and merges as you navigate the highway portions.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 19 significant decision points across 259.2 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 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,187 ft315 ft
Total Climb
3,333 ft
Total Descent
461 ft
Highest Point
3,187 ft
~259.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,873 ft
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 Richlands, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Shelby.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 259.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 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 Richlands, 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richlands, NC before the return drive.
