Origin
Raleigh, NC
Late night in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Wendell, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
27m
Distance
19.4 mi
31 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Wendell, NC
Kyle Miller
Trip Overview
Raleigh, NC to Wendell, NC is 19.4 miles and takes about 27m via I 87, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within North Carolina and the Southeast region, making it an easy local excursion. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major roadways, ideal for a quick commute or a short hop between cities. You'll find the journey efficient, with minimal time spent on the road.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 87 | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| Wendell Falls Parkway | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Hammond Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Richardson Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Blount Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 10.6 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Wendell, 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
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 87; US 64
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 11
Toward Wendell, Knightdale
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Wendell Falls Parkway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wendell Falls Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on Richardson Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Road
11
Continue on Wendell Falls Parkway
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Wendell Falls Parkway
12
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
East 3rd Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 14.4 — 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...
8
14.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Wendell, Knightdale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward Wendell, Knightdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.03 one way
$6.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $3.32 | $6.63 |
| premium | $4.70 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.28 | $8.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
| Efficient EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.70 | $0.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.72 | $1.24 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
Wendell, NC
Late night in Wendell on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
27m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey on high-speed roads like I 87 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch for about 10.6 miles on I 87, offering a consistent pace. Wendell Falls Parkway provides a transition as you approach your destination. Expect a driving experience characterized by smooth, fast travel for the majority of the trip.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Wendell Falls Parkway. You will hit about 7 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 Effort
6/10
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 19.4 miles you will encounter 7 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.
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 Wendell, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville and Knightdale.
Wilson
6.5 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 87; US 64
Greenville
6.5 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 87; US 64
Knightdale
14.4 mi in
|
~18m
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 27m. Total distance: 19.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Wendell, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wendell, NC before heading back.
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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