Raleigh, NC to Southport, NC is 159.4 miles and takes about 3h 3m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $25 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 straightforward highway-focused trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey. You'll mainly be on major roads, so it’s efficient if you’re looking to get to your destination without much fuss. Consider this route when you need a direct path to the coast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.7 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
105.4 mi
1h 52m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
18.7 mi
20m
NC 87
11.8 mi
16m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.3 mi
11m
Ocean Highway East
3.9 mi
5m
River Road Southeast
3.4 mi
5m
North Howe Street
1.2 mi
2m
Hammond Road
0.7 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 Southport, 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 right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
12
Merge onto I 140
19 mi·20 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle BeachUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·NC 87
16
Continue on NC 87; NC 133
3.4 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
NC 211
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 3m estimated duration, starting your drive from Raleigh, NC in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Southport, NC with plenty of daylight. With only one stop typically needed for a drive of this length, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel; the $25 budget suggests you'll need at least one fill-up, so plan your stop around available services on I 40. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart at your leisure, but an early start ensures 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 79.7 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 28m 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 159.4 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 158.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtl...
8
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
6
158.2 mi into trip|~3h in|NC 211 / North Howe Street
Turn left onto NC 211 / North Howe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.93 one way
$49.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.25
$54.51
premium
$4.70
$29.50
$59.00
diesel
$5.61
$35.19
$70.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.8
0
$16.74
$7.65
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.95
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.32
$10.20
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Morning
in Raleigh on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 19 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 19 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Southport, NC
Morning
in Southport on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
SW 3 to 14 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 19 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 19 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
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
13 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
3h 3m 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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 131.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 40, which includes a longest stretch of 105.4 miles on this interstate. The experience is largely that of a steady, uninterrupted cruise, characteristic of long-distance highway travel. Expect minimal deviations from high-speed routes, allowing for consistent progress towards Southport. The route maintains its highway character for most of the distance.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 159.4 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 11.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Southport, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
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.
Southport is a city on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Back in the 18th century, British settlements along this stretch of coast were afflicted by buccaneers and Spanish frigates to the point that a fortification named Fort Johnston had to be built, around which a town then called Smithville after Revolutionary War figure Benjamin Smith took shape, which eventually became known as Southport (in the hopes that it would initiate maritime traffic). But if anything Southport is a leisure and retirement haven, although granted it does have some military and nuclear power facilities nearby. It's also a filming location, such as for the movies Safe Haven and Nights in Rodanthe that you might have seen.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 159.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Southport, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Moores Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Southport, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
