Origin
Apex, NC
Afternoon in Apex on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
60.3 mi
97 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Apex, NC
Daniel Smyth
Goldsboro, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Apex to Goldsboro, you can expect a manageable 60.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since both towns are located within the Southeast region of North Carolina, the transition between them is relatively seamless. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over complexity, making it an ideal choice if you need to travel between these two points without any unnecessary detours.
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
30.2 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate your way out of Apex using East Williams Street before transitioning onto the Triangle Expressway and NC 540. Because the longest stretch on East Williams Street is negligible, you should prepare for a route that requires your full attention on local road changes rather than cruising on long, straightaways. The personality of this drive is defined by its localized nature, reflecting the practical layout of the regional road network. You will spend your time navigating through the area’s infrastructure, so stay alert for frequent turns as you make your way toward Goldsboro.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Williams Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC is easy. At 1h 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Williams Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NC 540 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Triangle Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 42 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North George Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Ash Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Ash Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Williams Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Goldsboro, NC.
1
Start on North Salem Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Salem Street
2
Turn left onto East Williams Street
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Williams Street
3
Take the exit slight left toward NC 540 Toll East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
NC 540 Toll East
4
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Triangle Expressway
5
Keep slight left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 42 East: Smithfield
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 42 East: Smithfield
7
Merge slight left onto Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8
Continue straight
7.6 mi
·
9 min
9
Keep slight left
14 mi
·
19 min
10
Continue straight
2.0 mi
·
2 min
11
Turn slight right
3.6 mi
·
5 min
12
Continue straight
1.8 mi
·
3 min
13
Turn right onto North George Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
North George Street
14
Turn left onto West Ash Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
West Ash Street
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Ash Street
164 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Ash Street
16
Exit the roundabout onto East Ash Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Ash Street
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling, allowing you to depart whenever fits your timeline best. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the duration is under an hour and a half. Keep in mind that since the route relies heavily on local roads, traffic patterns on NC 540 or the Triangle Expressway may impact your total travel time. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the 60.3-mile trek before you head out, as the $9 cost is a small price to pay for a direct commute. If you prefer a quieter drive, aim to travel during mid-morning or early afternoon hours to avoid peak congestion on the busier segments of your route.
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 30.2 miles from Apex, NC, or about 39m into the drive.
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 60.3 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.2 miles or 39m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goldsboro, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 60.3 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Apex, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.2 mi from Apex, NC · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.2 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Goldsboro, NC
The final approach into Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.65 one way
$19.30 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.51 | $21.03 |
| premium | $4.78 | $11.34 | $22.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.40 | $26.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.44 | $3.86 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Goldsboro, NC
Afternoon in Goldsboro on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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
1h 19m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC covers 60.3 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Williams Street, NC 540, Triangle Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.2 miles from Apex, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC is easy. At 1h 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Apex, NC to Goldsboro, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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