Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
73.5 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Tarboro, NC
Mark Stebnicki
The drive from Raleigh, NC to Tarboro, NC covers 73.5 miles and takes about 1h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 64, I 87, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.2 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 73.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 24m highway drive covering 73.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and I 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.2 miles on US 64.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 87. You will hit about 10 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.
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 73.5 miles you will encounter 10 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Blount Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 40; US 64 / Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Raleigh, NC and Tarboro, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.
Wilson
Greenville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 48.2 mi | 52m |
| I 87 | 20 mi | 21m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| West Saint James Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Hammond Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Blount Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 258 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Tarboro, NC.
Start on East South Street
Turn right onto South Blount Street
Continue on Hammond Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87; I 440; US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87; US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 258
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
Turn right onto Trade Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.8 mi from Raleigh, NC · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Tarboro, 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.
Regular Gas
$11.49 one way
$22.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.57 | $25.13 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.60 | $27.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.72 | $3.53 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.29 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Raleigh on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Tarboro on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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