Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
103.1 mi
166 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
The drive from Apex, NC to Clemmons, NC covers 103.1 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 64, Isaac Brooks Highway, I 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.9 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.50 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
51.6 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
The drive from Apex, NC to Clemmons, NC covers 103.1 miles and takes about 2h 10m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 103.1 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
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
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
Between Apex, NC and Clemmons, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte, Martinsville and Statesville.
Durham
Charlotte
Martinsville
Statesville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 32.9 mi | 43m |
| Isaac Brooks Highway | 25.5 mi | 30m |
| I 40 | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| Greensboro Urban Loop | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| US 421 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| West Williams Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Lewisville Clemmons Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Saunders Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Clemmons, NC.
Start on North Salem Street
Turn right onto Saunders Street
Turn right onto West Chatham Street
At end of road, turn left onto Hunter Street
Turn right onto NC 55
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 64
Take the exit
Merge onto US 421
Take the exit onto US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Merge onto I 85; US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto I 73; US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto Lewisville Clemmons Road
Continue on US 158
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.6 miles or 1h 8m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clemmons, 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 103.1 miles and 2h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.6 mi from Apex, NC · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 51.6 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Clemmons, 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 Clemmons, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$16.50 one way
$33.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $17.98 | $35.96 |
| premium | $4.78 | $19.39 | $38.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.91 | $45.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.83 | $4.95 |
| Efficient EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.02 | $4.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.43 | $6.60 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Apex on Saturday
Local time
5:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Clemmons on Saturday
Local time
5:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Greensboro, NC
52 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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