Driving from West Raleigh to the coastal town of Southport covers 162 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 7 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Southeast, it works perfectly as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both the origin and destination are located within the same region of North Carolina, the transition feels consistent as you move toward the coast. While you could easily make this trip in a single day, the convenience of the route gives you plenty of flexibility to decide your own pace.
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
81 miles from West Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
105.4 mi
1h 52m
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
18.7 mi
20m
NC 87
11.8 mi
16m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.8 mi
12m
Ocean Highway East
3.9 mi
5m
River Road Southeast
3.4 mi
5m
Western Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
North Howe Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh, NC and Southport, NC.
1
Start on Enterprise Street
44 ft·3 sec·Enterprise Street
2
Turn left onto Hillsborough Street
401 ft·13 sec·Hillsborough Street
3
Turn slight right
104 ft·6 sec
4
Turn right onto Pullen Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Pullen Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
76 ft·2 sec·Pullen Road
6
Continue on Pullen Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pullen Road
7
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·24 sec
9
Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Dawson Street
10
Continue on US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.8 mi·1 min·South Saunders Street
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40; US 64
2.6 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
19
Merge onto I 140
19 mi·20 min·John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle BeachUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·NC 87
23
Continue on NC 87; NC 133
3.4 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
NC 211
Trip Plan
To maximize your travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3-hour journey. Since the longest uninterrupted leg is over 100 miles, checking your fuel levels before merging onto I-40 is a smart move. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid traffic congestion near the Raleigh area. Keep in mind that your route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, so stay alert for changing speed limits as you exit the interstates toward the coastal region. This simple, one-day itinerary allows you to reach Southport with enough energy left to enjoy the destination upon arrival.
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 81 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 162 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 105.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 141.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Western Boulevard
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
6
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.
8
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
8
141.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.33 one way
$50.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.70
$55.40
premium
$4.70
$29.98
$59.97
diesel
$5.61
$35.77
$71.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.6
0
$17.01
$7.78
Efficient EV
40.5
0
$14.17
$6.48
EV Truck/SUV
64.8
0
$22.68
$10.37
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 12, 2026
Origin
West Raleigh, NC
Afternoon
in West Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Southport, NC
Afternoon
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
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
9 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
3h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will spend 91% of your journey on highways, making this a highly efficient route for reaching the coast. The drive is defined by a significant 105.4-mile stretch along I-40, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. As you transition from the interstate to the John Jay Burney Jr. Freeway and eventually onto NC 87, the character of the road shifts from high-speed transit to more localized travel. Expect a consistent, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. It is a functional, efficient drive that minimizes the need for complex navigation.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and John Jay Burney Jr Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Western Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 162 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 0.7 miles (Western Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
401 ft17 ft
Total Climb
36 ft
Total Descent
421 ft
Highest Point
401 ft
Elevation Range
385 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Raleigh, NC and Southport, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
Wilmington
18.3 mi in|~24m|via I 40
Myrtle Beach
121.8 mi in|~2h 15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 162 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Southport, 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 14.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Southport, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.
