Origin
Pembroke, NC
Evening in Pembroke on Thursday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pembroke, NC to Raleigh, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
103.4 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
15 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pembroke, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 103.4-mile drive from Pembroke to Raleigh, North Carolina, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical journey through the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on I-95 and I-40, with a brief transition onto Country Club Road near your destination. Given its efficiency, this drive is ideal for those looking to maximize their time at their destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.7 miles from Pembroke, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 103.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 87% of this 103.4-mile journey. You'll experience a significant stretch of 63.2 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. The transition to I-40 continues this high-speed travel, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. While much of the drive is on major interstates, the final approach via Country Club Road introduces a change in scenery and speed as you near Raleigh. This profile means you'll be spending most of your time on well-maintained, high-capacity roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 63.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near I 95; US 301.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 103.4 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 9.9 miles (I 95; US 301): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 95; US 301
Merge onto I 95; US 301
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
6
88.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
100.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
103.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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.
On the drive from Pembroke, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
73.1 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 63.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 40 | 26.7 mi | 29m |
| Country Club Road | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| West 3rd Street | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rock Quarry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Wilmington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Vance Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on Vance Street
122 ft
·
9 sec
·
Vance Street
2
Turn right onto NC 711
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street
3
Continue on NC 711
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Country Club Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
5
Merge onto I 95; US 301
63 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 95; US 301
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 West: Raleigh
8
Merge onto I 40
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
12
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
13
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
16
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over 2 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. Aiming for a mid-morning departure can help you avoid the peak rush hour traffic in both Pembroke and Raleigh. With no specific stops recommended, you can decide on the fly if you need to stretch your legs or refuel, though the $16 fuel cost suggests a full tank should get you there. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I-40 to Country Club Road, as this is the main point where the route deviates from the interstate.
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 51.7 miles from Pembroke, NC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 43m
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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, NC
This is one driving day of about 103.4 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Pembroke, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.7 mi from Pembroke, NC · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.7 miles from Pembroke, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.2 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.17 one way
$32.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $17.68 | $35.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $19.14 | $38.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.83 | $45.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Hope Mills, NC
Tesla
24 DCFC
North Hills - Tesla Supercharger
Raleigh, NC
Tesla
24 DCFC
La Patrona Bar & Grill - Tesla Supercharger
Lumberton, NC
Tesla
16 DCFC
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Tesla Supercharger
Fayetteville, NC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Garner, NC Rechargery - NC-42
Garner, NC
IONNA
10 DCFC
Texas Steakhouse and Saloon - Lumberton - Tesla Supercharger
Lumberton, NC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hampton Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Benson, NC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Tesla Supercharger
Garner, NC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Tesla: 7
EV Connect: 2
CIRCLE_K: 2
Electrify America: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
IONNA: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.96 |
| Efficient EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.05 | $4.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.48 | $6.62 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Raleigh, NC
Evening in Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
7:30 PM
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 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 6m 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 Pembroke, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 103.4 miles and takes about 2h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 40, Country Club Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.7 miles from Pembroke, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.17 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 12 significant decision points across 103.4 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 9.9 miles (I 95; US 301): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pembroke, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
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