This 177.8-mile journey from Carolina Shores, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, with 39% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $28, making it an economical option. The route is primarily within the Southeast region of North Carolina, offering a straightforward transition between coastal and inland areas. It's a practical choice for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
88.9 miles from Carolina Shores, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 177.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, blending efficient highway travel with other road types. With 39% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 103.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. This portion of the drive likely provides a more open road feel before transitioning to other road types as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Michael Jordan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 38.5 miles in near I 140.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 177.8 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 38.5 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
38.5 mi into trip|~53m in|I 140
Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39
Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
6
162.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
175.3 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
177.6 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carolina Shores, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern and Wilmington.
Jacksonville
38.5 mi in|~53m|via I 140
New Bern
38.5 mi in|~53m|via I 140
Wilmington
58.2 mi in|~1h 15m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
US 17
37.7 mi
50m
I 140
19.7 mi
22m
I 40
12.6 mi
13m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Rock Quarry Road
0.7 mi
1m
Country Club Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Carolina Shores Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Shores, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on Carolina Shores Parkway
0.2 mi·58 sec·Carolina Shores Parkway
2
Turn right onto SR 1168
0.6 mi·1 min·Country Club Drive
3
Turn right onto US 17
38 mi·50 min·US 17
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto I 140
20 mi·22 min·I 140
Exit 39Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New BernUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
7
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Michael Jordan Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi·13 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rock Quarry Road
11
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rock Quarry Road
12
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
15
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 28-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Raleigh. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $28 estimated cost suggests a moderate consumption. A useful tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic slowdowns as you get closer to Raleigh, especially if you are arriving during peak commuting hours. Plan your final stretch accordingly.
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 88.9 miles from Carolina Shores, NC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 39 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 49m 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 50m
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 Carolina Shores, 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 Carolina Shores, NC
This is one driving day of about 177.8 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Carolina Shores, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 103.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.9 mi from Carolina Shores, NC
· 1h 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 73.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.80 one way
$55.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.40
$60.80
premium
$4.70
$32.91
$65.81
diesel
$5.61
$39.26
$78.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.67
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.56
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.89
$11.38
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Carolina Shores, NC
Morning
in Carolina Shores on Saturday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Morning
in Raleigh on Saturday
Local time
10:28 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
2 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 28m 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 Carolina Shores, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 177.8 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Michael Jordan Highway, US 17, I 140. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.9 miles from Carolina Shores, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.80 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 177.8 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 38.5 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Carolina Shores, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern and Wilmington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
