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 Raleigh, NC
Drive Time
21m
Distance
13.8 mi
22 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Apex, NC
Daniel Smyth
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
Traveling from Apex to Raleigh is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 13.8 miles. You can easily complete this drive in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect day trip for those looking to move between these two Southeast locations. Because the route is so short and efficient, you won't need to plan for any overnight stops or extensive travel logistics. Budgeting around $2 for fuel should be more than sufficient to cover the distance. This drive is ideal if you need a reliable, low-cost connection between these NC cities without the stress of a long-haul commute.
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
6.9 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating through local thoroughfares, specifically Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, Western Boulevard, and Center Street. With a 0% highway share, this route feels more like a standard commute than an open-road adventure. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 7.5 miles on the Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the trip. Stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between these local roads to reach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 1010 / Center Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (SR 1010 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (US 1 / Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 1010 / Center Street
Turn left onto SR 1010 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 1 / Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
Merge onto US 1 / Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
9.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
6
9.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
5
13.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
East South Street
Turn left onto East South Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Western Boulevard: Nc State Univ and Cary.
Western Boulevard: Nc State Univ
9.5 mi in
|
~13m
Cary
9.5 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Western Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Center Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Wilmington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ten Ten Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Salem Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
— 7.5 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on North Salem Street
51 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Salem Street
2
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SR 1010
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Ten Ten Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 1 North: Raleigh
5
Merge onto US 1
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
446 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Western Boulevard: NC State Univ, Cary
8
Turn straight onto Western Boulevard
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
10
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
11
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
12
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 13.8-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your own schedule. You won't need to worry about mid-trip rest stops or extensive refueling logistics, as the short duration makes it easy to complete in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies entirely on local roads, traffic patterns can influence your 21-minute travel time significantly. Aim to monitor local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the smoothest transit. A great way to manage this drive is to treat it as a direct connection, allowing you to focus your energy on your plans once you arrive in Raleigh.
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 6.9 miles from Apex, NC, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.5 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 13.8 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.9 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, 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 13.8 miles and 21m.
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.
The longest stretch is on Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway for about 7.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.9 mi from Apex, NC · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.9 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Raleigh, NC
The final approach into Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, 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
$2.21 one way
$4.42 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.41 | $4.81 |
| premium | $4.78 | $2.60 | $5.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.07 | $6.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.45 | $0.66 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.93 | $0.88 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
21m 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 Raleigh, NC covers 13.8 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, Western Boulevard, Center Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.9 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 $2.21 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (SR 1010 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (US 1 / Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Western Boulevard: Nc State Univ and Cary.
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