Origin
Apex, NC
Afternoon in Apex on Thursday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apex, NC to Masonboro, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
138.8 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Masonboro, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
The drive from Apex, NC to Masonboro, NC covers 138.8 miles and takes about 2h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Triangle Expressway, North College Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.1 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.71 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
69.4 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 138.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 39m highway drive covering 138.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Triangle Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 108.1 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 108.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Triangle Expressway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near NC 55 / East Williams Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NC 55 / East Williams Street
Turn left onto NC 55 / East Williams Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NC 540 Toll East
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
8
21.9 mi into trip
|
~27m 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
5
23.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
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 Apex, NC to Masonboro, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
23.6 mi in
|
~29m
|
via I 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 108.1 mi | 1h 56m |
| Triangle Expressway | 16.4 mi | 17m |
| North College Road | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| East Williams Street | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Pine Grove Drive | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Masonboro Sound Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Salem Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Oleander Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 108.1 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Masonboro, NC.
1
Start on North Salem Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Salem Street
2
Turn left onto NC 55
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Williams Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll East
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Triangle Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
6
Merge onto I 40
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40
7
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
9
Continue on US 117; NC 132
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
North College Road
10
Turn left onto US 17; US 76
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Oleander Drive
11
Turn slight right onto Pine Grove Drive
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Pine Grove Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Masonboro Sound Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Masonboro Sound Road
13
Turn right
35 ft
·
2 sec
14
Arrive at destination
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 69.4 miles from Apex, NC, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.1 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 69.4 miles or 1h 18m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Masonboro, 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 138.8 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Apex, 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 108.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Apex, NC · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.1 miles.
Arriving in Masonboro, NC
The final approach into Masonboro, 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 Masonboro, NC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.71 one way
$43.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.73 | $47.47 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
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: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.43 | $8.88 |
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.
Destination
Masonboro, NC
Afternoon in Masonboro on Thursday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Mount Olive, NC
69 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 39m 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 Masonboro, NC covers 138.8 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Triangle Expressway, North College Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.4 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 $21.71 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (NC 55 / East Williams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Apex, NC to Masonboro, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
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