Origin
Kenly, NC
Evening in Kenly on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kenly, NC to Raleigh, NC
Drive Time
52m
Distance
41.4 mi
67 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between Kenly and Raleigh, this 41.4-mile trip is an efficient way to traverse the Southeast. You can easily complete the drive in about 52 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel will cover your transit across the regional landscape. Because the route is short and focused, it serves as a practical link rather than a destination-heavy excursion. Whether you are commuting or heading to the capital for the day, this path is designed for speed and convenience.
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
20.7 miles from Kenly, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 67% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of I-95, the Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway, and US-70 to reach your destination. While the longest uninterrupted stretch is 10 miles on I-95, the road character shifts as you transition from the interstate to the bypass and local highway sections. Expect a functional, steady pace behind the wheel that prioritizes direct travel over winding, technical roads. It is a predictable drive that keeps you moving toward the city without unnecessary complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 10 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 41.4 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro
5
30.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
39 mi into trip
|
~46m 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
40 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
41.2 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Kenly, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Pine Level, Goldsboro and Rock Quarry Rd North.
Pine Level
11.1 mi in
|
~13m
Goldsboro
11.1 mi in
|
~13m
Rock Quarry Rd North
39 mi in
|
~46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 10 mi | 11m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 10 mi | 11m |
| US 70 | 9 mi | 11m |
| I 40 | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rock Quarry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Church Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Wilmington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 10 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenly, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on this road
43 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 301
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Church Street
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
4
Merge onto I 95
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 95
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro
6
Turn right onto US 70
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
7
Continue on I 42
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
8
Merge onto I 40
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use 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 none lane.
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
Since this is a quick 52-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Given the $7 fuel estimate, consider topping off your tank before you leave Kenly to ensure a stress-free arrival in Raleigh. Pay close attention to the transition points between I-95 and US-70, as the change in road type can catch you off guard if you aren't watching your speedometer. Use this short window of time to enjoy the efficiency of the Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway as you wrap up your journey.
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 20.7 miles from Kenly, NC, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10 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 41.4 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.7 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
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 Kenly, 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 Kenly, NC
This is one driving day of about 41.4 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kenly, 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 I 95 for about 10 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.7 mi from Kenly, NC · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.7 miles from Kenly, 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
$6.63 one way
$13.25 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $7.22 | $14.44 |
| premium | $4.78 | $7.79 | $15.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.20 | $18.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.35 | $1.99 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.62 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
5:17 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
2 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
52m 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 Kenly, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 41.4 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway, US 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.7 miles from Kenly, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.63 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 11 significant decision points across 41.4 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kenly, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Pine Level, Goldsboro and Rock Quarry Rd North.
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