Origin
Jacksonville, NC
Evening in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, NC to Raleigh, NC
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
117.3 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, NC
Michael Ken
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
Traveling from Jacksonville to Raleigh covers 117.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 25 minutes. This highway-focused route is straightforward enough to complete in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a quick trip between the coast and the state capital. You can expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the journey, keeping your travel costs manageable. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of North Carolina, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. Whether you are heading inland for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable connection without the need for an overnight stay.
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
58.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of road types as you transition from the coast to the interior, with 66% of your time spent on highways. Your journey begins with a significant 59.8-mile stretch on NC 24, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. You will navigate via Catherine Lake Road before eventually merging onto I-40 to complete the final leg. The drive balances local road navigation with the efficiency of interstate travel, shifting from regional corridors to faster, multi-lane thoroughfares. By the time you approach Raleigh, you will have experienced a steady progression from rural surroundings to the busier infrastructure of the capital.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NC 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near NC 24.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 117.3 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
42.4 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
NC 24
Take the exit onto NC 24
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
114.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
5
115.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NC 24 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Catherine Lake Road | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| I 40 | 12.6 mi | 13m |
| Richlands Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| NC 50 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Hallsville Road | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| South Kenansville Bypass | 3.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Marine Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
3
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
4
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Catherine Lake Road
5
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
8
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
9
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
10
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
NC 24
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
14
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
15
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
18
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2-hour and 25-minute trek, plan your departure to avoid peak congestion times on I-40. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to drive it in one go without the need for scheduled stops, though keeping your fuel tank in mind remains a good practice. Since the longest stretch is on NC 24, ensure your vehicle is ready for a solid hour of consistent driving before you reach the interstate. Keep a close watch on your speed as you transition between the secondary roads and the faster-paced highway sections. Enjoy the ease of a direct route that gets you from the coast to Raleigh in well under three hours.
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 58.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 18m 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 58m
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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, NC
This is one driving day of about 117.3 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jacksonville, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Jacksonville, NC · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.77 one way
$37.55 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.45 | $40.91 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.07 | $44.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.32 | $5.63 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Evening in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
5 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
2h 25m 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 Jacksonville, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 117.3 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NC 24, Catherine Lake Road, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Jacksonville, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.77 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 15 significant decision points across 117.3 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 42.4 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Jacksonville, NC to Raleigh, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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