Trip from Walkertown, NC to Raleigh, NC

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

Drive Time

4h 42m

Distance

235.5 mi

379 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 29m ★

6 AM

4h 42m

8 AM

5h 9m

10 AM

4h 51m

12 PM

4h 49m

3 PM

4h 53m

5 PM

5h 8m

8 PM

4h 34m

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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Walkertown, NC

Mark Stebnicki

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

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 235.5-mile journey from Walkertown, North Carolina, to Raleigh, North Carolina, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 42 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 95% of the drive on major roads like US 70 and I-40, making it a straightforward trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. You'll spend most of your time on fast-paced highway driving, covering a significant distance with minimal fuss. Given its highway-centric nature, it's best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel between these two North Carolina locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

117.8 miles from Walkertown, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 70	147 mi	2h 47m
I 40	76.6 mi	1h 29m
Wade Avenue	3.9 mi	5m
Western Boulevard	2.5 mi	4m
North Fork Right Fork Road	1.4 mi	5m
North Fork Road	1.4 mi	2m
Gorman Street	0.6 mi	1m
Faircloth Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 70 — 147 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Penland Cove Road

103 ft · 7 sec · Penland Cove Road

Turn right onto North Fork Right Fork Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Fork Right Fork Road

Continue on North Fork Right Fork Road

0.9 mi · 3 min · North Fork Right Fork Road

Turn left onto North Fork Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Fork Road

Turn straight onto NC 9

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Montreat Road

Turn left onto 1st Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto Charlotte Street

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Charlotte Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

0.2 mi · 27 sec · East State Street

Take the ramp onto US 70

147 mi · 2 hr 47 min · US 70

Use the straight lane.

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.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Turn right onto Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street

Continue on Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 42-minute drive, starting early is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you approach Raleigh. While only one stop is indicated, you might consider a brief break around the midpoint of the 147-mile stretch on US 70 for fuel or a stretch. The $37 fuel cost suggests filling up before you leave Walkertown could be a good strategy to ensure you have plenty of gas for the journey. Since this is a relatively short, highway-intensive trip, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient, but sticking to the main roads like I-40 will keep you on track.

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 117.8 miles from Walkertown, NC, or about 2h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 117.8 miles or 2h 20m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 48m

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 Walkertown, 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 Walkertown, NC

This is one driving day of about 235.5 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Walkertown, 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 US 70 for about 147 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maine, NC

118 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

Lenoir, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maine, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.8 miles from Walkertown, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147 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

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

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

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

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

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 3.5 and 227.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.5 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 70 / East State Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 70 / East State Street

Navigation decision point

150.7 mi into trip | ~2h 58m 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

160.2 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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.

197 mi into trip | ~3h 52m 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

227.3 mi into trip | ~4h 27m 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

$34.77 one way

$69.54 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.12	$38.21	$76.42
premium	$4.49	$41.65	$83.30
diesel	$4.80	$44.47	$88.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70.7	0	$24.73	$11.30
Efficient EV	58.9	0	$20.61	$9.42
EV Truck/SUV	94.2	1	$32.97	$15.07

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Walkertown, NC

Morning in Walkertown on Sunday

Local time

6:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

6:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

98°F

Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 6 to 10 mph 21% chance Live forecast

86°F

Maine, NC

118 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

16 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

4h 42m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route. With 95% of the 235.5 miles on major roadways, including stretches of US 70 and I-40, the pace is generally quick. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 147 miles on US 70, indicating a substantial period of consistent highway travel. This profile means you'll be navigating primarily faster roads, with fewer opportunities for leisurely, scenic detours. The character of the drive is largely defined by its efficiency and the continuous flow of interstate and US highway conditions.

95% 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: 147 mi on US 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near US 70 / East State Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 235.5 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 3.5 miles (US 70 / East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 150.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,536 ft 297 ft

Total Climb

129 ft

Total Descent

2,351 ft

Highest Point

2,536 ft

Elevation Range

2,239 ft

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 Walkertown, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Martinsville along the way.

Martinsville

150.7 mi in | ~2h 58m | via I 40

About the Cities

Starting in Walkertown, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1771

Arriving in Raleigh, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1770

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.

Top landmarks

• North Carolina Museum of Art — state art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina
• North Carolina State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of North Carolina
• Dorton Arena — arena in Raleigh, 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 4h 42m. Total distance: 235.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 147 miles on US 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Raleigh, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Walkertown, NC to Raleigh, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Sosta Cafe

Sosta Cafe

West End Cafe

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Given Coffee Co

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

McDowell County Rest Area

Davie County, I-40 Eastbound Rest Area

Davie County, I-40 Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Alamance County Rest Area

Alamance County Rest Area

Marion Rest Area - Westbound

Marion Rest Area - Eastbound

ONE9 Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

I-40 Catawba Rest Area Westbound MM 136

I-40 Catawba Rest Area Eastbound MM 136

Petro Stopping Centers

TA

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

Nature Research Center

Graham Regional Park

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

All A Flutter Farms LLC

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Children's Museum of Alamance County

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

Lake Johnson Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Walkertown, NC

Raleigh, NC

Same local time

16 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 42m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Walkertown, NC

Arriving in Raleigh, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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