Traveling from Southport to West Raleigh covers 162.5 miles of North Carolina, typically taking about 3 hours and 8 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the limits of a comfortable day trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing to book an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the trek, which takes you from the coast through the Southeast region toward the state capital. The route utilizes a combination of the Michael Jordan Highway, I-140, and I-40 to navigate the transition from the coast to the interior. Whether you are heading inland for business or a visit, this straightforward path offers a reliable connection between these two points.
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
81.2 miles from Southport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
I 140
19.7 mi
22m
I 40
14.7 mi
16m
George II Highway
11.7 mi
16m
Ocean Highway East
3.5 mi
4m
River Road Southeast
3.3 mi
5m
Western Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
North Howe Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southport, NC and West Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
2
Turn straight
381 ft·13 sec
3
Turn slight right onto NC 87
3.3 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn straight onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·George II Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 17; NC 87
3.5 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 140
20 mi·22 min·I 140
Exit 39Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New BernUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
9
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Michael Jordan Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
15 mi·16 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 298BToward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh DowntownUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.9 mi·1 min·South Saunders Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Western Boulevard
14
Turn straight onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
15
Continue on Western Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn slight right
429 ft·10 sec
Toward Pullen Road
17
Turn right onto Pullen Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pullen Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
63 ft·2 sec·Pullen Road
19
Continue on Pullen Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Pullen Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
205 ft·6 sec·Hillsborough Street
21
Continue on Hillsborough Street
503 ft·14 sec·Hillsborough Street
22
Turn right onto Enterprise Street
44 ft·1 sec·Enterprise Street
23
Arrive at destination
Enterprise Street
Trip Plan
Since your travel time is just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. I recommend scheduling at least one stop to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more taxing than a standard interstate cruise. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the coastal region, as you will want to ensure you have enough to cover the $26 estimated cost without needing to hunt for stations during your longest 103.3-mile stretch. Aim to avoid peak commute hours when entering West Raleigh to ensure your arrival is as smooth as possible. Use the shorter duration to your advantage by planning your departure to reach your destination well-rested.
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 81.2 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 32m
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 Southport, 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 Southport, NC
This is one driving day of about 162.5 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Southport, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 103.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 158.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East
Merge onto US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
19.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 140
Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
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 39
Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...
6
39.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
6
144 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
158.8 mi into trip|~3h 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.41 one way
$50.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.78
$55.57
premium
$4.70
$30.08
$60.15
diesel
$5.61
$35.88
$71.76
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: 56.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.8
0
$17.06
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.22
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.75
$10.40
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 12, 2026
Origin
Southport, NC
Afternoon
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
West Raleigh, NC
Afternoon
in West Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
9 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
3h 8m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a distinct shift in road quality, characterized primarily as a turn-heavy local drive as you transition onto larger transit corridors. While you will spend 21% of your journey on highways, the experience is defined by the initial segments that demand your full attention. You will encounter a significant 103.3-mile stretch along the Michael Jordan Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. Be prepared for a mix of technical local navigation early on before settling into the more consistent pace of the interstate system. The road’s personality evolves from winding local passages into the more predictable flow of I-40 as you approach the Raleigh area.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.3 mi on Michael Jordan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 162.5 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
401 ft17 ft
Total Climb
420 ft
Total Descent
35 ft
Highest Point
401 ft
~162.5 mi in
Elevation Range
385 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southport, NC and West Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington and Raleigh.
Jacksonville
19.8 mi in|~29m|via I 140
New Bern
19.8 mi in|~29m|via I 140
Wilmington
39.5 mi in|~51m
Raleigh
39.8 mi in|~51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 162.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. 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 West Raleigh, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 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 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at West Raleigh, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
