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Trip from Welcome, 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 16m

Distance

111.7 mi

180 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m

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 Welcome, NC, NC

Welcome, NC

Đan Thy Nguyễn Mai

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

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Welcome, NC, to Raleigh, NC? This drive covers 111.7 miles and should take about 2 hours and 16 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's perfect for a single day trip. You'll be spending most of your time on I-40, with some time on US 29 and Wade Avenue. The estimated fuel cost for this 111.7-mile trek is around $17. Given its manageable length and primarily highway profile, this route is best tackled in one go, allowing for a flexible schedule without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, keeping the scenery consistent.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

55.9 miles from Welcome, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 67.1 mi 1h 17m
US 29 31.3 mi 35m
Wade Avenue 3.9 mi 5m
Western Boulevard 2.5 mi 4m
Old US Hwy 52 2.2 mi 3m
Old US Highway 52 2 mi 3m
Winston Road 0.8 mi 1m
Gorman Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 67.1 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

108 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left

67 ft · 9 sec
3

Turn left onto Old US Highway 52

2.0 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 52
4

Continue on Old US Hwy 52

2.2 mi · 3 min · Old US Hwy 52
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on NC 8

0.8 mi · 1 min · Winston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto US 29; US 64; US 70

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 29; US 64; US 70
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70

24 mi · 27 min · US 29; US 70
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 29
Toward US 29, US 70 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

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.
13

Turn right onto Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street
14

Continue on Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
17

Turn left onto South Wilmington Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · South Wilmington Street
18

Turn left onto East South Street

24 ft · 0 sec · East South Street
19

Arrive at destination

East South Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour, 16-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic as you near Raleigh. Since it's a relatively short, highway-intensive trip, you won't need to plan for multiple lengthy stops; however, staying aware of your fuel gauge is always wise, especially during the longest stretch of 67.1 miles on I-40. The estimated fuel cost of $17 makes budgeting straightforward. A key tip for this route is to be prepared for the transition onto Wade Avenue as it can be a busy approach into the city, so staying alert during that final segment will ensure a smooth arrival.

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 55.9 miles from Welcome, NC, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.1 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.9 miles or 1h 7m 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 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 Welcome, 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 Welcome, NC

This is one driving day of about 111.7 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Welcome, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 67.1 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

56 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

Archdale, 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 55.9 miles from Welcome, 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 67.1 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

2.8 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 2.8 mi from route ~7 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 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

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

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 103.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
5 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64 East, US 70 East

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 64...
8
6 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 29; US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70...
8
30.5 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 29, US 70
7
73.2 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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
103.5 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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

$17.47 one way

$34.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.10 $38.20
premium $4.70 $20.67 $41.35
diesel $5.61 $24.66 $49.32

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: 39.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.5 0 $11.73 $5.36
Efficient EV 27.9 0 $9.77 $4.47
EV Truck/SUV 44.7 0 $15.64 $7.15

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 20, 2026

Origin

Welcome, NC

Morning in Welcome on Tuesday

Local time

6:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

6:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Graham, NC

56 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

2 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 16m 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 is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-40. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 67.1 miles on I-40. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, you'll also navigate sections of US 29 and Wade Avenue as you approach Raleigh. This road personality means you'll experience a steady pace for most of the journey, making it efficient for covering ground quickly. The focus is on direct travel rather than winding scenic byways.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 111.7 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 16m. Total distance: 111.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.1 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (US 29): 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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