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Trip from Tobaccoville, NC to Raleigh, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

115 mi

185 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m

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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Downtown Tobaccoville, NC, NC

Tobaccoville, NC

Mark Stebnicki

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

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 115-mile drive from Tobaccoville, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. Predominantly a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 89% of your time on major roadways like I-40 and Salem Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. Traveling within the Southeast region, this route offers a direct path between two points in North Carolina, making it a convenient choice for your travel plans.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

57.5 miles from Tobaccoville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 76.6 mi 1h 29m
NC 74 13.3 mi 15m
Salem Parkway 11.4 mi 13m
Wade Avenue 3.9 mi 5m
Western Boulevard 2.5 mi 4m
Griffin Road 1.9 mi 3m
Doral Drive 1.4 mi 2m
John Gold Memorial Expressway 0.7 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 76.6 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Tobaccoville Road

65 ft · 5 sec · Tobaccoville Road
2

Turn right onto Doral Drive

1.4 mi · 2 min · Doral Drive
3

Turn left onto Griffin Road

1.9 mi · 3 min · Griffin Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto Westinghouse Road

446 ft · 11 sec · Westinghouse Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward US 52 South: Winston-Salem
6

Merge onto US 52

0.7 mi · 47 sec · John Gold Memorial Expressway
7

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74

13 mi · 15 min · NC 74
Toward NC 74 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 53B Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
9

Merge onto US 421; NC 150

11 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

30 mi · 34 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728

3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right onto Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street
16

Continue on Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
19

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street
20

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street
21

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this 115-mile trip from Tobaccoville to Raleigh is best enjoyed as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours and arrive with ample time to settle in. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, you can budget accordingly. While there are no designated stops in the data, consider a brief pause around the midpoint of the 76.6-mile stretch on I-40 for a quick break. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Raleigh metropolitan area.

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 57.5 miles from Tobaccoville, NC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 25 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.5 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tobaccoville, 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 Tobaccoville, NC

This is one driving day of about 115 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tobaccoville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 76.6 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

58 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.

Popular next leg

Graham, NC to Raleigh, NC

54.4 mi · 1h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

High Point, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Graham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.5 miles from Tobaccoville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.6 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

3 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

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 4.4 and 106.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
4.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | NC 74

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward NC 74 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NC 74 East
6
17.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 421 South: Greensboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 53B Toward US 421 South: Greensboro
8
30.2 mi into trip | ~38m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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
106.7 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | SR 1728 / Wade Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.98 one way

$35.97 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.66 $39.33
premium $4.70 $21.28 $42.57
diesel $5.61 $25.39 $50.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.5 0 $12.08 $5.52
Efficient EV 28.8 0 $10.06 $4.60
EV Truck/SUV 46 0 $16.10 $7.36

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 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 17, 2026

Origin

Tobaccoville, NC

Morning in Tobaccoville on Tuesday

Local time

8:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

8:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

NW 7 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 17 at 11:32AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

76°F

Graham, NC

58 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

32 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 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused journey, with 89% of the drive comprising interstate travel. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 76.6 miles on I-40, offering extended periods of consistent speed. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of roads like NC 74 and Salem Parkway suggests some variation in the driving experience as you navigate through North Carolina. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, making it a functional path for reaching your destination.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near NC 74.

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 115 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 4.4 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 30.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

On the drive from Tobaccoville, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.

Martinsville

30.2 mi in | ~38m | via I 40

About the Cities

Arriving 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 2h 22m. Total distance: 115 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.6 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (NC 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 30.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 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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