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Create accountDrive Time
2h 11m
Distance
97.1 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Apex, NC
Daniel Smyth
Albemarle, NC
Mark Stebnicki
The drive from Apex, NC to Albemarle, NC covers 97.1 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on McReynolds Street, Jefferson Davis Highway, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.2 miles on McReynolds Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.54 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 11m drive with frequent turns across 97.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near NC 55 / East Williams Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (NC 55 / East Williams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto NC 55 / East Williams Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward US 1 South: Sanford
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27 / McReynolds Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73 / Albemarle Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto US 52 Business / South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| McReynolds Street | 42.2 mi | 59m |
| Jefferson Davis Highway | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 15.7 mi | 16m |
| White Hill Road | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| Albemarle Road | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| NC 24 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Monroe Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Williams Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Albemarle, NC.
Start on North Salem Street
Turn left onto NC 55
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn slight right onto US 15; US 501
Continue on NC 24; NC 27
Enter roundabout onto NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
Continue on NC 22; NC 24; NC 27
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Enter roundabout onto NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Continue on NC-24; NC-27; NC-73
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 27; NC 73
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 52 Business
Continue on US 52 Business
Turn left onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 2m 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 Albemarle, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Apex, 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 Apex, NC
This is one driving day of about 97.1 miles and 2h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.6 mi from Apex, NC · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.6 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Albemarle, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Albemarle, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.54 one way
$31.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $16.93 | $33.86 |
| premium | $4.78 | $18.27 | $36.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.59 | $6.21 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Apex on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Destination
Afternoon in Albemarle on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 11 at 7:52PM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Along the Route
63°F
Aberdeen, NC
49 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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