Trip from Apex, NC to Newton, NC

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

158 mi

254 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Photo: Stepan Vrany

Trip Overview

The drive from Apex, NC to Newton, NC covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.29 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

79 miles from Apex, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 14m highway drive covering 158 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.4 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 24 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 73.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,008 ft 320 ft

Total Climb

1,009 ft

Total Descent

501 ft

Highest Point

1,008 ft

~158 mi in

Elevation Range

688 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.1 miles in near US 421.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 158 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 61.1 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.9 miles (I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

61.1 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | US 421

Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 197 Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durha...

61.3 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | US 421

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...

66.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop

Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421 / Greensboro Urban Loop toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 121 Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem,...

73.6 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | US 421

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 103B Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem

79.4 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Towns Along This Route

Between Apex, NC and Newton, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte, Martinsville and Statesville.

Durham

61.1 mi in | ~1h 20m | via US 421

Charlotte

61.1 mi in | ~1h 20m | via US 421

Martinsville

66.9 mi in | ~1h 27m | via I 73; US 421

Statesville

79.4 mi in | ~1h 41m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	73.4 mi	1h 23m
US 64	32.9 mi	43m
Isaac Brooks Highway	25.5 mi	30m
Greensboro Urban Loop	11.5 mi	12m
US 421	6.9 mi	8m
NC 16	1.9 mi	3m
West Williams Street	1.2 mi	2m
East 20th Street	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 73.4 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Newton, NC.

Start on North Salem Street

383 ft · 19 sec · North Salem Street

Turn right onto Saunders Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Saunders Street

Turn right onto West Chatham Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · West Chatham Street

At end of road, turn left onto Hunter Street

294 ft · 9 sec · Hunter Street

Turn right onto NC 55

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward US 64 West Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 64

33 mi · 43 min · US 64

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto US 421

26 mi · 30 min · Isaac Brooks Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 421

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 421

Exit 197 Toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 421

Toward I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 85; US 421

4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421

6.7 mi · 7 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

Exit 121 Toward I 73 North, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 421

5.8 mi · 6 min · US 421

Exit 103B Toward I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

73 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 40

Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Exit 133 Toward Rock Barn Road

Turn left onto Rockbarn Road

498 ft · 9 sec · Rockbarn Road

Continue on Rock Barn Road Northeast

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rock Barn Road Northeast

Turn left onto NC 16

1.9 mi · 3 min · NC 16

Turn right onto McLin Creek Road South

0.1 mi · 11 sec · McLin Creek Road South

Continue on East 20th Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · East 20th Street

Continue on East 20th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · East 20th Street

Turn left onto NC 16 BUS

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Main Avenue

Arrive at destination

NC 16 BUS

Trip Plan

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 79 miles from Apex, NC, or about 1h 41m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.4 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79 miles or 1h 41m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newton, 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 158 miles and 3h 14m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 73.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79 mi from Apex, NC · 1h 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

High Point, NC

79 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

High Point, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

High Point, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79 miles from Apex, 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 73.4 miles.

Arriving in Newton, NC

The final approach into Newton, 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 Newton, 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

$25.29 one way

$50.57 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$27.55	$55.10
premium	$4.78	$29.72	$59.44
diesel	$5.64	$35.10	$70.20

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: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47.4	$16.59	$7.58
Efficient EV	39.5	$13.83	$6.32
EV Truck/SUV	63.2	$22.12	$10.11

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Apex, NC

Afternoon in Apex on Sunday

Local time

2:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newton, NC

Afternoon in Newton on Sunday

Local time

2:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

4 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 14m 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 Newton, NC covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 79 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 $25.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.