Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
177.9 mi
286 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Calabash, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Blount Street, Hammond Road, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.47 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
88.9 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 24m drive with frequent turns across 177.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Blount Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Blount Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hammond Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 42 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 140 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John Jay Burney Jr Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 17 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Blount Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Calabash, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
505 ft
·
21 sec
·
East South Street
2
Turn right onto South Blount Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blount Street
3
Continue on Hammond Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hammond Road
4
Take the ramp slight right
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi
·
2 min
8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 140 West, US 17 South: Shallote, Myrtle Beach
12
Merge slight left onto John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
19 mi
·
20 min
·
John Jay Burney Jr Freeway
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 17: Shallotte, Myrtle Beach
14
Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East
35 mi
·
44 min
·
Ocean Highway East
15
Take the exit slight left
407 ft
·
11 sec
16
Continue on Thomasboro Road
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Thomasboro Road
17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Beach Drive Southwest
407 ft
·
16 sec
·
Beach Drive Southwest
18
Turn left onto River Road
33 ft
·
2 sec
·
River Road
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.9 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calabash, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 177.9 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Raleigh, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.9 mi from Raleigh, NC · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 88.9 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Calabash, NC
The final approach into Calabash, 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 Calabash, 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
$28.47 one way
$56.94 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $31.02 | $62.04 |
| premium | $4.78 | $33.46 | $66.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.52 | $79.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.68 | $8.54 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.57 | $7.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.91 | $11.39 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Calabash, NC
Afternoon in Calabash on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
4 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
3h 24m 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 Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Blount Street, Hammond Road, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.9 miles from Raleigh, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Raleigh, NC to Calabash, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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