Origin
Piney Green, NC
Afternoon in Piney Green on Thursday
Local time
3:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Piney Green, NC to Apex, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
131.2 mi
211 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Piney Green, NC
Halil İbrahim Özcan
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Piney Green, NC to Apex, NC covers 131.2 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NC 24, Catherine Lake Road, Triangle Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.8 miles on NC 24. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
65.6 miles from Piney Green, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 131.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 131.2 miles, with most of the trip on NC 24 and Catherine Lake Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
499 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
557 ft
Total Descent
98 ft
Highest Point
499 ft
~131.2 mi in
Elevation Range
470 ft
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 49.5 miles in near NC 24.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 131.2 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 49.5 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
113.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the ramp toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex
6
127.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward NC 55: Apex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NC 55: Apex
8
127.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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
131.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NC 24 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Catherine Lake Road | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| Triangle Expressway | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| Richlands Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Jackson Store Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Lejeune Boulevard | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| NC 50 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Hallsville Road | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
NC 24
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Piney Green, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on NC 24
29 ft
·
2 sec
·
Freedom Way
2
Continue on NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 24 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lejeune Boulevard
4
Turn slight right onto NC 24 Business
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Johnson Boulevard
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 Business; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Marine Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 258; NC 24 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
7
Continue on US 258; NC 24
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
8
Turn left onto NC 111
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Catherine Lake Road
9
Turn right onto SR 1800
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto NC 50
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
NC 50
12
Turn left onto D S Williams Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
13
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
14
Take the exit onto NC 24
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
NC 24
Use the right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
Toward NC 42: Fuquay-Varina
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Cleveland Rd
17
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cleveland Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on SR 1010
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cleveland School Road
19
Turn right onto NC 50
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Benson Road
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward NC 540 Toll West: Apex
Use the left lane.
21
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Triangle Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
212 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NC 55 West: Apex
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto NC 55
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 55
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right onto South Hughes Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hughes Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto SR 1010
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Center Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
51 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.6 miles from Piney Green, NC, or about 1h 29m 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 29 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 14m
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 Piney Green, 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 Piney Green, NC
This is one driving day of about 131.2 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Piney Green, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.6 mi from Piney Green, NC · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.6 miles from Piney Green, 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
$20.52 one way
$41.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.43 | $44.87 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.97 | $57.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.78 | $6.30 |
| Efficient EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.37 | $8.40 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Thursday
Local time
3:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 46m 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 Piney Green, NC to Apex, NC covers 131.2 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NC 24, Catherine Lake Road, Triangle Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.6 miles from Piney Green, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.52 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.
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 22 significant decision points across 131.2 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 49.5 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Piney Green, NC to Apex, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 29 ft to 499 ft elevation with about 557 ft of total climbing.
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