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Trip from Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC

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

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

80.5 mi

130 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

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 North Carolina, United States

Reidsville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Apex, NC, NC

Apex, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 80.5-mile drive from Reidsville, NC, to Apex, NC, should take you about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like I-40 and NC-87, so expect a consistent driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 20.8 mi 23m
NC 87 17.5 mi 20m
Sam Hunt Freeway 14.3 mi 16m
Triangle Expressway 10.3 mi 11m
West Webb Avenue 4.7 mi 6m
Barnes Street 4.5 mi 6m
West Williams Street 1.1 mi 1m
West Harden Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 20.8 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reidsville, NC and Apex, NC.

1

Start on South Scales Street

0.6 mi · 56 sec · South Scales Street
2

Turn left onto Richardson Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · Richardson Drive
3

Turn right onto Barnes Street

4.5 mi · 6 min · Barnes Street
4

Continue on NC 87

17 mi · 20 min · NC 87
5

Turn left onto NC 87; NC 100

4.7 mi · 6 min · West Webb Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on NC 87

0.3 mi · 27 sec · West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
8

Enter roundabout onto NC 54

78 ft · 1 sec · East Harden Street
9

Continue on NC 54

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Harden Street
10

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec
11

Merge onto I 40; I 85

14 mi · 16 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

21 mi · 23 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 279A Toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto NC 885 Toll

3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on NC 540 Toll

7.2 mi · 7 min · Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 59B-A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 59A Toward US 64 East: Apex Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto US 64

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 64
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
22

Turn right onto NC 55

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Williams Street
Use the right lane.
23

Turn left onto Hunter Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hunter Street
Use the left lane.
24

Turn right onto North Salem Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · North Salem Street
25

Arrive at destination

North Salem Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive at your destination with plenty of time for activities. There are no specific stops recommended, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch on I-40. Planning your departure to avoid peak traffic on I-40 could make your journey even smoother. The estimated fuel cost of $13 means you can likely complete the trip on a single tank if you start with a full one.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 18 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.3 miles or 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apex, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Reidsville, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Reidsville, NC

This is one driving day of about 80.5 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Reidsville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 20.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Graham, NC

40 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

Glen Raven, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mebane, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 Coffee Stop

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Durham, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 57.5

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 57.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 57.5

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 34.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 51.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 51.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 51.8

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 34.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.8

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 57.5

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 34.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 28.8

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 57.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 46

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 80.5

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 34.5

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 69

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

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 44.4 and 77.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
44.4 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
65.2 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford

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 279A Toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway,...
7
68.7 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
6
76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 59B-A
8
77.2 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 East: Apex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 59A Toward US 64 East: Apex

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.59 one way

$25.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $13.76 $27.53
premium $4.70 $14.90 $29.80
diesel $5.61 $17.77 $35.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.2 0 $8.45 $3.86
Efficient EV 20.1 0 $7.04 $3.22
EV Truck/SUV 32.2 0 $11.27 $5.15

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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

Reidsville, NC

Late night in Reidsville on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Apex, NC

Late night in Apex on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Graham, NC

40 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 40m 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?

Expect a drive that is predominantly on highways, with 79% of the journey utilizing these faster roads. You'll navigate on I-40 and NC-87, including the Sam Hunt Freeway, which contributes to the highway-focused profile. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.8 miles on I-40, offering a period of steady travel. While the route is largely on major arteries, the transition between these roads will define the character of your drive.

79% 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: 20.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.4 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 44.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 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.

On the drive from Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sanford along the way.

Sanford

65.2 mi in | ~1h 19m

About the Cities

Starting in Reidsville, NC

Full guide →

Reidsville is a city of 14,000 people (2018) near Greensboro, North Carolina. Reidsville offers two public lakes for recreation, trails, greenways, parks, historic homes, and a farmer's market. Reidsville thrived in the 19th century growing tobacco and manufacturing cigarettes. Later, many textile mills were established in the town's but as those industries have declined, the town's economy has diversified.

Arriving in Apex, NC

Full guide →

Apex, the "Peak City", is a town near Raleigh in the state 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 1h 40m. Total distance: 80.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20.8 miles on I 40. 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 Apex, 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 44.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Apex, 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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