Trip from West Raleigh, NC to Sea Breeze, 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 44m

Distance

140.7 mi

226 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 34m ★

6 AM

2h 45m

8 AM

3h 6m

10 AM

2h 52m

12 PM

2h 50m

3 PM

2h 53m

5 PM

3h 5m

8 PM

2h 38m

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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West Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

Sea Breeze, NC

Peter Xie

Trip Overview

The drive from West Raleigh, NC to Sea Breeze, NC covers 140.7 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway, North College Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.00 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

70.4 miles from West Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	109.4 mi	1h 57m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway	10.8 mi	12m
North College Road	9.4 mi	15m
Carolina Beach Road	5.3 mi	7m
Western Boulevard	1.4 mi	2m
South Saunders Street	0.8 mi	1m
Pullen Road	0.6 mi	1m
South Dawson Street	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 109.4 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Enterprise Street

44 ft · 3 sec · Enterprise Street

Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

401 ft · 13 sec · Hillsborough Street

Turn slight right

104 ft · 6 sec

Turn right onto Pullen Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Pullen Road

Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road

76 ft · 2 sec · Pullen Road

Continue on Pullen Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Pullen Road

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Dawson Street

Continue on US 70; US 401; NC 50

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Saunders Street

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 40; US 64

2.6 mi · 3 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

Toward I 40 East: Wilmington

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.7 mi · 1 min

Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40

107 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 40

Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

Continue on US 117; NC 132

9.4 mi · 15 min · North College Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on NC 132

5.3 mi · 7 min · Carolina Beach Road

Turn left onto South Seabreeze Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Seabreeze Road

Arrive at destination

Seabreeze Road South

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 70.4 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.4 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 31 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.4 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sea Breeze, 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 140.7 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from West Raleigh, 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 I 40 for about 109.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

place in North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wallace, NC

70 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

Dunn, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wallace, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.4 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 I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.4 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

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 90.5

Wallace, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 90.5

Wallace, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 130.7

Wilmington, North Carolina

Visit website

IONNA Drivers Lounge

0.1 mi from route

Duplin County I-40 Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

+19197734442

Visit website

Duplin Winery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 80.4

Rose Hill, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19102893888

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Wrightsville Beach Scenic Boat Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 130.7

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 16.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Pullen Road

Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | Western Boulevard

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit

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

Use the left lane.

14.5 mi into trip | ~19m 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.

16.6 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.00 one way

$44.00 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$24.06	$48.11
premium	$4.70	$26.04	$52.08
diesel	$5.61	$31.06	$62.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

North Hills - Tesla Supercharger

Raleigh, NC

Tesla

24 DCFC

Regency Centers Midtown East (Raleigh, NC)

Raleigh, NC

Electrify America

10 DCFC

Ridgewood Shopping Center

Raleigh, NC

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Target T0961 (Cary, NC)

Cary, NC

Electrify America

3 DCFC

Courtyard Marriot

Raleigh, NC

eVgo Network

1 DCFC

Sheetz

Raleigh, NC

eVgo Network

1 DCFC

eVgo Network: 3 Electrify America: 2 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.2	$14.77	$6.75
Efficient EV	35.2	$12.31	$5.63
EV Truck/SUV	56.3	$19.70	$9.00

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 17, 2026

Origin

West Raleigh, NC

Morning in West Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

11:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sea Breeze, NC

Morning in Sea Breeze on Sunday

Local time

11:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

7 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 44m 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?

140.7 mi in 2h 44m, mostly highway — 109.4 mi of that is on I 40.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 109.4 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pullen Road.

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 11 significant decision points across 140.7 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 0.2 miles (Pullen Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.7 miles (Western Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 West Raleigh, NC to Sea Breeze, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.

Wilmington

18.3 mi in | ~24m | via I 40

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 140.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 109.4 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 Sea Breeze, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sea Breeze, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from West Raleigh, NC to Sea Breeze, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Sosta Cafe

Sosta Cafe

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

IONNA Drivers Lounge

Duplin County I-40 Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Nature Research Center

Lake Johnson Park

Lake Benson Park

Duplin Winery

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Wrightsville Beach Scenic Boat Tours

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

West Raleigh, NC

Sea Breeze, NC

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 44m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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

Continue From Sea Breeze, NC

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