Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Monday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
155.3 mi
250 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Pine Knoll Shores, NC
정규송 Nui MALAMA
Trip Overview
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Pine Knoll Shores, NC covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Freedom Memorial Bridge, East New Bern Road, US 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.2 miles on Freedom Memorial Bridge. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.85 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
77.7 miles from Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 13m drive with frequent turns across 155.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Freedom Memorial Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 35.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 155.3 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 1.6 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 11.9 miles (I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge onto I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway toward I 40 East: Wilmington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
9
11.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 309
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
6
29.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 70 BYP
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
US 70 / Freedom Memorial Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 / Freedom Memorial Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Raleigh, NC to Pine Knoll Shores, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Goldsboro along the way.
Goldsboro
11.9 mi in
|
~15m
|
via I 42
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Memorial Bridge | 35.2 mi | 48m |
| East New Bern Road | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| US 70 | 21.2 mi | 25m |
| Goldsboro Bypass | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| US 70 BYP | 14.3 mi | 19m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| West New Bern Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Freedom Memorial Bridge
— 35.2 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Pine Knoll Shores, NC.
1
Start on East South Street
506 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
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 40; US 64
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 42
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
Exit 309
Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
US 70
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 70 BYP
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 70
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on I 42
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Goldsboro Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto US 70; US 258
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West New Bern Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 70; NC 58
33 mi
·
36 min
·
East New Bern Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
35 mi
·
48 min
·
Freedom Memorial Bridge
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Atlantic Beach Bridge
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Beach Bridge
17
Continue on Atlantic Beach Causeway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Beach Causeway
18
Turn right onto NC 58
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Fort Macon Road
19
Continue on NC 58
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Salter Path Road
20
Turn right onto Mimosa Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Mimosa Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Loblolly Drive
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Loblolly Drive
22
Turn left onto Ash Court
215 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ash Court
23
Arrive at destination
Ash Court
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 77.7 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.7 miles or 1h 33m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Knoll Shores, 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 155.3 miles and 3h 13m.
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 Freedom Memorial Bridge for about 35.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.7 mi from Raleigh, NC · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 77.7 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pine Knoll Shores, NC
The final approach into Pine Knoll Shores, 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 Pine Knoll Shores, 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
$24.85 one way
$49.71 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $27.08 | $54.16 |
| premium | $4.78 | $29.21 | $58.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.50 | $69.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.59 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.74 | $9.94 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Afternoon in Pine Knoll Shores on Monday
Local time
3:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
1 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
3h 13m 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 Pine Knoll Shores, NC covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Freedom Memorial Bridge, East New Bern Road, US 70. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.7 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 $24.85 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 155.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 40 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 11.9 miles (I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Raleigh, NC to Pine Knoll Shores, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Goldsboro along the way.
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