Origin
Goldsboro, NC
Afternoon in Goldsboro on Sunday
Local time
2:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Goldsboro, NC to Apex, NC
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
60.6 mi
97 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: Daniel Smyth
Trip Overview
Traveling from Goldsboro to Apex covers 60.6 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes of driving time. Since this trek is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. The journey primarily utilizes US 70, the US 70 BYP, and the Triangle Expressway to navigate through the Southeast region of North Carolina. With an estimated fuel cost of only $10, it is a budget-friendly trip that fits perfectly into a weekend schedule or a quick weekday commute. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, it serves as a reliable link between these two North Carolina communities.
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
30.3 miles from Goldsboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 77% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend much of your time on major corridors, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.4 miles on US 70. The road transitions from regional highway travel to the more structured environment of the Triangle Expressway as you approach your destination. While the drive is functional rather than leisurely, the consistent road quality keeps momentum high. You can anticipate a steady pace behind the wheel, characterized by clear road markings and efficient traffic flow.
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 17.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and Triangle Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 70 Business; US 117 Business / West Ash Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 60.6 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 0.2 miles (US 70 Business; US 117 Business / West Ash Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (US 70 Business / Grantham Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70 Business; US 117 Business / West Ash Street
Enter roundabout onto US 70 Business; US 117 Business / West Ash Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 70 Business / Grantham Street
Turn left onto US 70 Business / Grantham Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
39.6 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 318
Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
8
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 55 West: Apex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NC 55 West: Apex
8
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
North Salem Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 70 | 17.4 mi | 24m |
| Triangle Expressway | 15.9 mi | 16m |
| US 70 BYP | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| NC 55 | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Grantham Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North George Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Hughes Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 17.4 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goldsboro, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on US 70 Business; US 117 Business
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Ash Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 70 Business; US 117 Business
169 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Ash Street
3
Continue on US 70 Business; US 117 Business
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Ash Street
4
Turn right onto US 70 Business
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
North George Street
5
Turn left onto US 70 Business
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grantham Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 70
10 mi
·
14 min
·
US 70
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
10 mi
·
12 min
·
US 70 BYP
10
Continue on I 42
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 318
Toward I 40 East, NC 540 Toll West: Wilmington
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll West
13
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Triangle Expressway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
212 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NC 55 West: Apex
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto NC 55
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 55
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto South Hughes Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hughes Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 1010
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Center Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
51 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 19 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, since the route relies heavily on major highways, checking real-time traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid congestion common near the Triangle Expressway. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 60.6-mile trip, you are free to complete the drive in one go without needing to refuel mid-journey. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind, but consider carrying a bit extra if you plan on idling in traffic. A pro tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the toll requirements for the Triangle Expressway section before you head out to ensure a seamless transit.
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 30.3 miles from Goldsboro, NC, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.4 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 60.6 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.3 miles or 42m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apex, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, NC
This is one driving day of about 60.6 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Goldsboro, 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 US 70 for about 17.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.3 mi from Goldsboro, NC · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 60.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.3 miles from Goldsboro, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apex, NC
The final approach into Apex, 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 Apex, 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
$9.70 one way
$19.40 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.57 | $21.13 |
| premium | $4.78 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.46 | $26.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.36 | $2.91 |
| Efficient EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.30 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.48 | $3.88 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Apex, NC
Afternoon in Apex on Sunday
Local time
2:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
1h 19m 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 Goldsboro, NC to Apex, NC covers 60.6 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 70, Triangle Expressway, 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 30.3 miles from Goldsboro, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.70 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 60.6 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 0.2 miles (US 70 Business; US 117 Business / West Ash Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (US 70 Business / Grantham Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Goldsboro, NC to Apex, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Apex, NC
More from Goldsboro, NC
More trips to Apex, NC
Explore more options from Goldsboro, NC or browse trips ending in Apex, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Goldsboro, NC or Apex, NC on MapSof.net.