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Trip from West Raleigh, NC to King, NC

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

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

113.4 mi

182 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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 West Raleigh, NC, NC

West Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

city in Stokes and Forsyth counties, North Carolina, United States

King, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from West Raleigh, NC, your journey to King, NC, covers 113.4 miles and is estimated to take around 2 hours and 18 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll primarily navigate via the Dan K. Moore Frwy, I-40, and the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, with about 29% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $18. This route keeps you within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward passage within North Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

56.7 miles from West Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dan K. Moore Frwy 61.5 mi 1h 11m
I 40 20.3 mi 24m
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway 11.1 mi 12m
Salem Parkway 6.5 mi 7m
John Gold Memorial Expressway 4 mi 4m
Wade Avenue 3.7 mi 4m
NC 74 1.8 mi 2m
South Main Street 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Dan K. Moore Frwy — 61.5 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Enterprise Street

44 ft · 7 sec · Enterprise Street
2

Turn right onto Hillsborough Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
3

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

107 ft · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
4

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Hillsborough Street
5

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

90 ft · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
6

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Hillsborough Street
7

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

99 ft · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street
8

Continue on Hillsborough Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Hillsborough Street
9

Turn right onto Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto Wade Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Wade Avenue
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on Wade Avenue

3.3 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Merge onto I 40

62 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421

6.5 mi · 7 min · Salem Parkway
Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on NC 74

11 mi · 12 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · NC 74
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto US 52

4.0 mi · 4 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward King, Tobaccoville
21

Turn right onto South Main Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
22

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach King, NC, without feeling rushed. Since this is a relatively short, single-day trip, you have flexibility in planning stops; however, consider breaking up the 61.5-mile stretch on the Dan K. Moore Frwy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transitions onto and off the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, as these can be busy points in the drive.

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 56.7 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 56.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving West Raleigh, 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 West Raleigh, NC

This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from West Raleigh, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dan K. Moore Frwy for about 61.5 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

57 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

Carrboro, 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 56.7 miles from West Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dan K. Moore Frwy if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the start, short detour

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

Top Coffee Stop

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89.1

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Durham, North Carolina

2.9 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 8.1

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89.1

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.3

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

1922

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.3

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+19849994195

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 56.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 48.6

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.3

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

+18889982546

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 48.6

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 40.5

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 56.7

Burlington, North Carolina

+13365841115

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.3

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 8.1

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 48.6

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.3

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 81

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 48.6

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 32.4

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

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 1.8 and 105.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | Wade Avenue

Turn left onto Wade Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
67 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | US 421 / Salem Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
93.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward NC 74 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West
7
105.8 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | NC 74

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.73 one way

$35.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.39 $38.78
premium $4.70 $20.99 $41.98
diesel $5.61 $25.04 $50.07

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: 39.7 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 0 $11.91 $5.44
Efficient EV 28.4 0 $9.92 $4.54
EV Truck/SUV 45.4 0 $15.88 $7.26

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

West Raleigh, NC

Late night in West Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Mostly Clear

W 3 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

King, NC

Late night in King on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Graham, NC

57 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

20 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 18m 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 route with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent turns and changes in road type than a pure interstate cruise. While 29% of the drive utilizes highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 61.5 miles on the Dan K. Moore Frwy. This suggests a journey that blends some faster-paced highway segments with more involved local road navigation, requiring your attention as you transition between different road systems.

Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on Dan K. Moore Frwy.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 1.8 miles in near Wade Avenue.

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 15 significant decision points across 113.4 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 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 113.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on Dan K. Moore Frwy. 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 King, 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 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at King, 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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