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Trip from Raleigh, NC to Windsor, NC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

87.6 mi

141 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m

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

city in and state capital of North Carolina, United States of America

Raleigh, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Windsor, NC, NC

Windsor, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Raleigh, NC to Windsor, NC covers 87.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 264, I 87, West Arlington Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.9 miles on US 264. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.70 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.

Midpoint

43.8 miles from Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 43m highway drive covering 87.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 264 and I 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.9 miles on US 264.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 264 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 264 and I 87. 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.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 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; at 6.5 miles (I 87; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These 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.
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...
5
86.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | Corey Road

Turn left onto Corey Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
87.1 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | Duchess Drive

Turn right onto Duchess Drive

Navigation decision point

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 Windsor, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville and Downtown.

Wilson

6.5 mi in | ~9m | via I 87; US 64

Greenville

6.5 mi in | ~9m | via I 87; US 64

Downtown

79.7 mi in | ~1h 28m | via Stantonsburg Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 264 55.9 mi 59m
I 87 20 mi 21m
West Arlington Boulevard 4.6 mi 8m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway 2.2 mi 2m
Stantonsburg Road 1.5 mi 2m
East Firetower Road 0.7 mi 1m
Hammond Road 0.7 mi 1m
South Blount Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 264 — 55.9 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Windsor, 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 right at fork onto US 264

56 mi · 59 min · US 264
9

Turn straight onto Stantonsburg Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Stantonsburg Road
Toward Greenville, Downtown
10

Turn right onto West Arlington Boulevard

4.6 mi · 8 min · West Arlington Boulevard
11

Turn right onto East Firetower Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Firetower Road
12

Turn left onto Corey Road

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Corey Road
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto Duke Road

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Duke Road
14

Turn right onto Duchess Drive

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Duchess Drive
15

Turn right onto Bishop Drive

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Bishop Drive
16

Turn right onto Buckingham Drive

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Buckingham Drive
17

Arrive at destination

Buckingham Drive

Trip Plan

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 43.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 19 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.8 miles or 49m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Windsor, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Raleigh, NC

This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Raleigh, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 264 for about 55.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.8 mi from Raleigh, NC · 49m into the drive

city and the county seat of Wilson County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilson, NC

44 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

Zebulon, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wilson, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Windsor, NC

The final approach into Windsor, 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

$13.70 one way

$27.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $14.98 $29.96
premium $4.70 $16.21 $32.43
diesel $5.61 $19.34 $38.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.3 0 $9.20 $4.20
Efficient EV 21.9 0 $7.66 $3.50
EV Truck/SUV 35 0 $12.26 $5.61

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Raleigh, NC

Afternoon in Raleigh on Thursday

Local time

4:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Windsor, NC

Afternoon in Windsor on Thursday

Local time

4:53 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

16 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 43m 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 Windsor, NC covers 87.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 264, I 87, West Arlington Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.8 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 $13.70 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 87.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 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; at 6.5 miles (I 87; US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Raleigh, NC and Windsor, NC, road signs point toward Wilson, Greenville and Downtown.

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