Origin
Raleigh, NC
Morning in Raleigh on Friday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raleigh, NC to Red Oak, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
53.2 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Red Oak, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a short, straightforward journey from Raleigh, NC, to Red Oak, NC, covering 53.2 miles in approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, requiring no overnight stops and fitting comfortably within a single day. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $8, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. The route primarily utilizes US 64 and I-87, offering a highway-focused experience as you travel within the Southeast region of North Carolina. This drive is ideal if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 53.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 87% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the trip, including a significant stretch of 24 miles on US 64 without major interruptions. The primary roads, US 64 and I-87, are designed for efficient travel, meaning you’ll spend most of your time on well-maintained, higher-speed routes. While it's predominantly a highway experience, the final leg on Red Oak Road will transition you to a more local feel as you approach your destination. Expect a straightforward driving experience focused on covering ground.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 24 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 87. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Blount Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.2 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Blount Street): Navigation decision point; 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 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Blount Street
Turn right onto South Blount Street
Navigation decision point
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.
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 87; I 440; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64 toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rock...
8
6.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 87; US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64 toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...
4
23.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Raleigh, NC and Red Oak, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.
Wilson
6.5 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 87; US 64
Greenville
6.5 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 87; US 64
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 24 mi | 25m |
| I 87 | 20 mi | 21m |
| Red Oak Road | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Hammond Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Blount Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 64 Business | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 24 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Red Oak, 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 left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 87; I 440; US 64
Toward I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 87; US 64
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
24 mi
·
25 min
·
US 64
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 64 Business
10
Turn left onto US 64 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 64 Business
11
Continue on Red Oak Road
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Red Oak Road
12
Turn left onto NC 43
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Oak Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
NC 43
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.6 mi from Raleigh, NC · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.6 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Red Oak, NC
The final approach into Red Oak, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.32 one way
$16.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.10 | $18.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.85 | $19.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.75 | $23.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16 | 0 | $5.59 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.45 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Red Oak, NC
Morning in Red Oak on Friday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
1h 2m 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 Red Oak, NC covers 53.2 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, I 87, Red Oak Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.6 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 $8.32 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.2 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Blount Street): Navigation decision point; 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 87; I 440; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Raleigh, NC and Red Oak, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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