Beaufort, NC to Raleigh, NC is 153 miles and takes about 3h 12m via US 70, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused journey takes you from the Southeast coast inland towards the state capital, remaining within North Carolina for the entire trip. It's a straightforward drive, primarily utilizing US 70 and its bypasses, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a practical, no-frills experience that efficiently connects these two points.
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
76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 153 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 76% of it taking place on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a significant continuous stretch of 97.4 miles on US 70, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. While the primary roads are US 70 and its bypasses like the Goldsboro Bypass, the overall character is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes directness and speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 97.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and Goldsboro Bypass. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Turner Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 153 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Turner Street
Turn right onto Turner Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
142 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
150.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
6
152.9 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
97.4 mi
2h 5m
Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi
21m
US 70 BYP
10.1 mi
12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi
11m
I 40
8.6 mi
9m
West New Bern Road
2.1 mi
3m
West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaufort, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on Ann Street
298 ft·12 sec·Ann Street
2
Turn right onto Turner Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Turner Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70
74 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70; US 258
2.1 mi·3 min·West New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 70; US 258
1.6 mi·2 min·West Vernon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
9.6 mi·11 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 42
20 mi·21 min·Goldsboro Bypass
8
Continue on US 70
1.2 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
10 mi·14 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi·2 min·US 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi·12 min·US 70 BYP
12
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi·11 min·Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13
Merge onto I 40
8.6 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rock Quarry Road
16
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rock Quarry Road
17
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
20
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour drive time, this route offers excellent flexibility for departure. Leaving Beaufort, NC in the morning allows ample time to reach Raleigh, NC before evening, with a fuel cost estimated around $24. While the longest stretch without a major road change is 97.4 miles on US 70, it's wise to plan for a brief stop midway for fuel or a stretch, perhaps around the Goldsboro area, before continuing the final leg. This approach ensures a comfortable and uninterrupted drive.
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 76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 39m 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 Raleigh, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, NC
This is one driving day of about 153 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Beaufort, 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 US 70 for about 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.5 mi from Beaufort, NC
· 1h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.4 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
National Seashore
A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic vi...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.39
$6.12
EV Truck/SUV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
Gas CO2
54 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beaufort, NC
Morning
in Beaufort on Saturday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Morning
in Raleigh on Saturday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
6 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 12m 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 Beaufort, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 153 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 70, Goldsboro Bypass, US 70 BYP. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.5 miles from Beaufort, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.93 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153 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 0.1 miles (Turner Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles (US 70; US 258 / West New Bern Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Beaufort, NC to Raleigh, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
