Trip from Raleigh, NC to Thurmond, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 9m

Distance

155.9 mi

251 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 58m ★

6 AM

3h 10m

8 AM

3h 33m

10 AM

3h 18m

12 PM

3h 15m

3 PM

3h 19m

5 PM

3h 32m

8 PM

3h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and state capital of North Carolina, United States of America

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Thurmond, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 155.9-mile journey from Raleigh, NC, to Thurmond, NC, will take you about 3 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Dan K. Moore Frwy, I-40, and US-421, this route offers a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated around $24, it's an easily manageable day trip, so you won't need to split it into overnight stays. The drive is contained within the Southeast region, keeping the scenery consistent. It's a straightforward trip perfect for a single day of exploration.

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

78 miles from Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dan K. Moore Frwy	61.5 mi	1h 11m
I 40	38.2 mi	45m
US 421	27.5 mi	31m
I 77	9.7 mi	10m
US 21 BYP	9 mi	12m
Wade Avenue	3.7 mi	4m
Western Boulevard	2.5 mi	4m
Gorman Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Dan K. Moore Frwy — 61.5 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Thurmond, NC.

Start on East South Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East South Street

Turn left onto South Salisbury Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Salisbury Street

Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Continue on Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street

Turn left onto Wade Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Wade Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on Wade Avenue

3.3 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 40

62 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220

Use the straight lane.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 188 Toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 421 North: Yadkinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 421

28 mi · 31 min · US 421

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 265A Toward I 77 North: Elkin Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 77

9.7 mi · 10 min · I 77

Keep slight left at fork onto US 21 BYP

9.0 mi · 12 min · US 21 BYP

Toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto North Center Church Road

0.2 mi · 42 sec · North Center Church Road

Turn left onto Thurmond Road

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Thurmond Road

Turn right onto Billings Lane

65 ft · 2 sec · Billings Lane

Arrive at destination

Billings Lane

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 3-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering plenty of flexibility. Consider departing Raleigh early in the morning to maximize your time in Thurmond and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to power through or take a brief break as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 61.5-mile stretch on the Dan K. Moore Frwy, as services might be less frequent during that segment. This route's manageable length means you have the freedom to adjust your schedule on the fly.

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 78 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 34 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78 miles or 1h 35m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thurmond, 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 155.9 miles and 3h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Dan K. Moore Frwy for about 61.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Graham, NC

78 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

Hillsborough, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greensboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dan K. Moore Frwy if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 11.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.2

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89.1

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.3

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 100.2

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 44.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 55.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 44.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 11.1

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 55.7

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.3

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 78

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 89.1

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 78

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 89.9 and 146.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

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

136.3 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 77 North: Elkin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265A Toward I 77 North: Elkin

146.3 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | US 21 BYP

Keep slight left at fork onto US 21 BYP toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward US 21 Bypass North: Sparta, Roaring Gap

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.38 one way

$48.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$26.66	$53.31
premium	$4.70	$28.85	$57.71
diesel	$5.61	$34.42	$68.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46.8	$16.37	$7.48
Efficient EV	39	$13.64	$6.24
EV Truck/SUV	62.4	$21.83	$9.98

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Raleigh, NC

Late night in Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

3:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Thurmond, NC

Late night in Thurmond on Sunday

Local time

3:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Graham, NC

78 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

1 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 9m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll encounter a mix of driving styles on this route, with 54% of it being highway driving. Expect a longest uninterrupted stretch of 61.5 miles along the Dan K. Moore Frwy, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. As you transition to I-40 and then US-421, the road will likely evolve, potentially offering more varied terrain and driving conditions. This profile suggests a journey that isn't a monotonous interstate grind but rather a dynamic drive with periods of faster travel interspersed with other road types.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on Dan K. Moore Frwy.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.9 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 155.9 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 89.9 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Thurmond, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Yadkinville and Roaring Gap.

Statesville

89.9 mi in | ~1h 49m | via I 40

Yadkinville

107.9 mi in | ~2h 10m

Roaring Gap

146.3 mi in | ~2h 55m | via US 21 BYP

About the Cities

Starting in Raleigh, NC

Full guide →

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.

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 3h 9m. Total distance: 155.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on Dan K. Moore Frwy. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Thurmond, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Thurmond, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Raleigh, NC to Thurmond, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Sosta Cafe

Sosta Cafe

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

West End Cafe

Kyles Coffee

Triangle Coffee House

Given Coffee Co

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Lake Crabtree County Park

Nature Research Center

Children's Museum of Alamance County

Piedmont Wildlife Center

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

All A Flutter Farms LLC

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Raleigh, NC

Thurmond, NC

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 9m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Raleigh, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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