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 Jacksonville, NC
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
118.8 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Jacksonville, NC
Michael Ken
Trip Overview
Stretching 118.8 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Raleigh to Jacksonville typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes of driving time. Because the total duration is under two hours, you can easily complete this journey as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $19 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route primarily utilizes local roads like South Blount Street, Hammond Road, and the Thomas Bradshaw Freeway rather than major interstate corridors. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or a visit, this straightforward drive keeps you within the Southeast region for the entire duration.
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
59.4 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will navigate through local roads and intersections for the duration of the 118.8-mile trip. Because the longest stretch is zero miles on South Blount Street, you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and turns. The path lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, creating a more technical driving experience than a typical high-speed commute. Stay alert, as the changing road conditions require you to remain engaged with the navigation throughout the journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 Jacksonville, NC is easy. At 1h 57m 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 Jacksonville, 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 |
| NC 24 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Kenansville Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| D S Williams Road | 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 Jacksonville, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
505 ft
·
23 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
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
11
Turn left onto South Kenansville Bypass
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Kenansville Bypass
12
Turn right onto D S Williams Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
D S Williams Road
13
Turn right
5.1 mi
·
6 min
14
Turn left onto Hallsville Road
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Hallsville Road
15
Turn right onto Jackson Store Road
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jackson Store Road
16
At the end of the road, turn left
14 mi
·
21 min
17
Merge slight left onto Richlands Highway
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Richlands Highway
18
Turn left
433 ft
·
8 sec
19
Turn slight right onto Richlands Highway
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Richlands Highway
20
Continue on South Marine Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marine Boulevard
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it best suits your schedule. You will not need to plan for major stops, as the 1-hour and 57-minute duration is manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local streets rather than highways, traffic patterns on South Blount Street or the Thomas Bradshaw Freeway could impact your travel time significantly. Factor the $19 fuel cost into your overall travel budget before heading out. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your turn-by-turn navigation before starting, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making frequent transitions between local roads.
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 59.4 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 58m 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 58m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 118.8 miles and 1h 57m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.4 mi from Raleigh, NC · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 59.4 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jacksonville, NC
The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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
$19.01 one way
$38.03 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.72 | $41.43 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.35 | $44.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.39 | $52.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.63 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Jacksonville, NC
Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
1h 57m 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 Jacksonville, NC covers 118.8 miles and takes about 1h 57m 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 59.4 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 $19.01 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.
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Jacksonville, NC is easy. At 1h 57m 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 Jacksonville, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Raleigh, NC to Jacksonville, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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