Trip from Raleigh, NC to Franklin, NC

Drive Time

6h 17m

Distance

313.3 mi

504 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 5m ★

6 AM

6h 18m

8 AM

6h 43m

10 AM

6h 26m

12 PM

6h 24m

3 PM

6h 28m

5 PM

6h 42m

8 PM

6h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

Trip Overview

The drive from Raleigh, NC to Franklin, NC covers 313.3 miles and takes about 6h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, Dan K. Moore Frwy, US 74 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 198.8 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.14 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

156.6 miles from Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 17m highway drive covering 313.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. The longest continuous stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 198.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near Gorman Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 313.3 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 3.3 miles (Gorman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | Gorman Street

Turn right onto Gorman Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

4.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | Wade Avenue

Turn left onto Wade Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

69.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | I 40; US 220

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

89.9 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

Towns Along This Route

Between Raleigh, NC and Franklin, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Murphy and Atlanta.

Statesville

89.9 mi in | ~1h 49m | via I 40

Waynesville

268.5 mi in | ~5h 15m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Maggie Valley

268.5 mi in | ~5h 15m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Murphy

268.5 mi in | ~5h 15m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Atlanta

268.5 mi in | ~5h 15m | via US 74; US 64 Truck

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	198.8 mi	3h 50m
Dan K. Moore Frwy	61.5 mi	1h 11m
US 74	22 mi	29m
US 23	17 mi	23m
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway	4.4 mi	5m
Wade Avenue	3.7 mi	4m
Western Boulevard	2.5 mi	4m
East Main Street	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 198.8 mi, about 3h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Franklin, NC.

Start on East South Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East South Street

Turn left onto South Salisbury Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Salisbury Street

Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Continue on Western Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Gorman Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gorman Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Faircloth Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Faircloth Street

Turn left onto Wade Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Wade Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on Wade Avenue

3.3 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 40

62 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220

13 mi · 15 min · I 40; US 220

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

153 mi · 2 hr 54 min · I 40

Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

25 mi · 31 min · I 40

Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck

22 mi · 29 min · US 74; US 64 Truck

Toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta

Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck

4.4 mi · 5 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway

Take the exit onto US 23; US 64 Truck

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 23; US 64 Truck

Toward US 23 South, US 441 South: Dillsboro, Franklin, Atlanta

Continue on US 23; US 441; US 64 Truck

17 mi · 22 min · US 23; US 441; US 64 Truck

Turn right onto US 441 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 441 BUS; NC 28

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Northeast Main Street

Continue on US 441 BUS

0.2 mi · 58 sec · East Main Street

Turn right onto Iotla Street

181 ft · 7 sec · Iotla Street

Arrive at destination

Iotla Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 156.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 3h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 156.6 miles or 3h 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 5h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 313.3 miles and 6h 17m.

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.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 198.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 156.6 mi from Raleigh, NC · 3h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cornelius, NC

157 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

Greensboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cornelius, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.8 miles.

Arriving in Franklin, NC

The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, NC.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.14 one way

$100.28 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$54.63	$109.26
premium	$4.78	$58.93	$117.87
diesel	$5.64	$69.60	$139.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94	1	$32.90	$15.04
Efficient EV	78.3	0	$27.41	$12.53
EV Truck/SUV	125.3	1	$43.86	$20.05

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Raleigh, NC

Morning in Raleigh on Monday

Local time

10:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, NC

Morning in Franklin on Monday

Local time

10:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

10 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

6h 17m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Franklin, NC covers 313.3 miles and takes about 6h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Dan K. Moore Frwy, US 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 156.6 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 $50.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Raleigh, NC and Franklin, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Murphy and Atlanta.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Franklin, NC to Raleigh, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

312.8 mi 6h 17m

Explore more options from Raleigh, NC or browse trips ending in Franklin, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Explore maps for Raleigh, NC or Franklin, NC on MapSof.net.

Trip from Raleigh, NC to Franklin, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Franklin, NC

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Raleigh, NC

Franklin, NC

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 17m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Franklin, NC

More from Raleigh, NC

More trips to Franklin, NC