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Trip from Welcome, NC to West 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 11m

Distance

109.1 mi

176 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 27 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 6m

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

Downtown West Raleigh, NC, NC

West Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

Trip Overview

This 109.1-mile drive from Welcome, NC to West Raleigh, NC is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-40 and US 29, with a brief stint on Wade Avenue, making it a largely highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion within North Carolina. The route is straightforward, covering a substantial distance efficiently, and is ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. It’s a solid choice if you want a direct journey within the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

54.6 miles from Welcome, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m 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
Old US Hwy 52 2.2 mi 3m
Old US Highway 52 2 mi 3m
Hillsborough Street 1.3 mi 3m
Winston Road 0.8 mi 1m
Faircloth Street 0.5 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 West 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

Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Hillsborough Street
15

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

73 ft · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
16

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Hillsborough Street
17

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

74 ft · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
18

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Hillsborough Street
19

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

74 ft · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
20

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
21

Turn left onto Enterprise Street

71 ft · 2 sec · Enterprise Street
Use the left lane.
22

Arrive at destination

Enterprise Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 11 minute duration, leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of time to spare. With no recommended stops, the flexibility of this route means you can depart whenever is most convenient for you. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 67.1-mile stretch on I-40, to ensure a smooth journey. The estimated fuel cost of $17 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential fluctuations. West Raleigh is a busy area, so consider traffic patterns as you get closer.

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 54.6 miles from Welcome, NC, or about 1h 5m 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 24 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 54.6 miles or 1h 5m 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 46m

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 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 109.1 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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

55 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

Archdale, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Graham, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.6 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, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

2.7 mi

Best coffee break · final third

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Durham, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third · 28min to go 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 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 2.7 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, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 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 4 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 1 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 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~5 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

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Kersey Valley Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Archdale, North Carolina

+13364311700

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

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 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

$17.06 one way

$34.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.65 $37.31
premium $4.70 $20.19 $40.38
diesel $5.61 $24.09 $48.18

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: 38.2 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 32.7 0 $11.46 $5.24
Efficient EV 27.3 0 $9.55 $4.36
EV Truck/SUV 43.6 0 $15.27 $6.98

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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Welcome, NC

Morning in Welcome on Tuesday

Local time

6:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Raleigh, NC

Morning in West Raleigh on Tuesday

Local time

6:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Sunny

SW 6 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 6:18AM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

76°F

Graham, NC

55 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

15 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 11m 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 highway-centric journey for 94% of this route, with the majority of your time spent on I-40. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.1 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. This profile means you'll experience a relatively straightforward driving environment for most of the trip. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US 29 and Wade Avenue may offer slight variations in scenery and traffic patterns as you approach your destination in West Raleigh.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 15 significant decision points across 109.1 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 109.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 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. 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 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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