Origin
Apex, NC
Late night in Apex on Saturday
Local time
12:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apex, NC to Statesville, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
136.6 mi
220 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Statesville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Apex, NC to Statesville, NC covers 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 48m 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 54.3 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.36 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
68.3 miles from Apex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 136.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 136.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.3 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 54.3 miles.
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.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 136.6 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 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
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...
8
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,...
9
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,...
9
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
8
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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Apex, NC and Statesville, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 54.3 mi | 1h |
| 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 |
| West Williams Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Davie Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Sullivan Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 54.3 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex, NC and Statesville, NC.
1
Start on North Salem Street
383 ft
·
19 sec
·
North Salem Street
2
Turn right onto Saunders Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Saunders Street
3
Turn right onto West Chatham Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Chatham Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto Hunter Street
294 ft
·
9 sec
·
Hunter Street
5
Turn right onto NC 55
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Williams Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 64 West
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 64
33 mi
·
43 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
9
Merge onto US 421
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Isaac Brooks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 85; US 421
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Greensboro Urban Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
54 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 151
Toward US 21: Statesville
18
Turn straight onto US 21
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Sullivan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 21
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sullivan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto US 21; US 64
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Davie Avenue
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 21; US 64
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Trade Street
22
Turn right onto US 21; US 64
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Front Street
23
Turn left onto US 21; NC 115
50 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Center Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 21; NC 115
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 68.3 miles from Apex, NC, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Statesville, 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 136.6 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 54.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.3 mi from Apex, NC · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.3 miles from Apex, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Statesville, NC
The final approach into Statesville, 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 Statesville, 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
$21.36 one way
$42.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.36 | $46.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.28 | $50.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.16 | $60.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41 | 0 | $14.34 | $6.56 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.95 | $5.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.12 | $8.74 |
Gas CO2
48 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
Statesville, NC
Late night in Statesville on Saturday
Local time
12:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
19 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 48m 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 Statesville, NC covers 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 48m 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 68.3 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 $21.36 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 136.6 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.
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.
Between Apex, NC and Statesville, NC, road signs point toward Durham, Charlotte and Martinsville.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Statesville, NC
More trips to Statesville, NC
Explore more options from Apex, NC or browse trips ending in Statesville, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.