Origin
Richlands, NC
Late night in Richlands on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richlands, NC to West Raleigh, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
107.5 mi
173 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richlands, NC
Mark Stebnicki
West Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
This 107.5-mile journey from Richlands, NC to West Raleigh, NC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. The route primarily utilizes NC 24 and I-40, with about 69% of the drive on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this drive. Traveling within the Southeast region of North Carolina, this drive offers a straightforward path connecting these two points. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Richlands, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NC 24 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Beulaville Highway | 20.8 mi | 29m |
| I 40 | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| South Kenansville Bypass | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Richlands Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Western Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Saunders Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pullen Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richlands, NC and West Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on South Wilmington Street
189 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
2
Turn right onto West Franck Street
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Franck Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 258; NC 24
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Richlands Highway
4
Continue on US 258; NC 24
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Beulaville Highway
5
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
6
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
NC 24
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 298B
Toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh Downtown
Use the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Saunders Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Western Boulevard
11
Turn straight onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
12
Continue on Western Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight right
429 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Pullen Road
14
Turn right onto Pullen Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Pullen Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
63 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pullen Road
16
Continue on Pullen Road
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Pullen Road
17
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
205 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
18
Continue on Hillsborough Street
503 ft
·
14 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
19
Turn right onto Enterprise Street
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
Enterprise Street
20
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can comfortably leave Richlands in the morning and arrive in West Raleigh by midday, or opt for a later departure. Given the longest stretch is nearly 60 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a total distance of 107.5 miles and an estimated $17 fuel cost, most vehicles should have ample range. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-40, as this is where the character of the drive shifts to a more typical interstate experience.
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 53.7 miles from Richlands, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Raleigh, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC
This is one driving day of about 107.5 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Richlands, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Richlands, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 29.2 and 107.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
29.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
89.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
103.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 298B
Toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: R...
5
107.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
Pullen Road
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
Hillsborough Street
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.81 one way
$33.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $18.38 | $36.76 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.90 | $39.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.73 | $47.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.29 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.41 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
West Raleigh, NC
Late night in West Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Mount Olive, NC
54 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
12 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
2h 10m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 69% share on faster roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.8 miles on NC 24, offering a good period of consistent travel. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of Beulaville Highway suggests some transition between faster and potentially more local road segments. The overall feel is likely one of steady progress, with opportunities to maintain a good pace for most of the 107.5 miles.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on NC 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and Beulaville Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 29.2 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 107.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 29.2 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 107.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.2 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Raleigh, 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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