Origin
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raleigh, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Windsor, NC
Mark Stebnicki
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Turn left onto Corey Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Duchess Drive
Navigation decision point
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
Greenville
Downtown
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, NC and Windsor, 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 right at fork onto US 264
Turn straight onto Stantonsburg Road
Turn right onto West Arlington Boulevard
Turn right onto East Firetower Road
Turn left onto Corey Road
Turn left onto Duke Road
Turn right onto Duchess Drive
Turn right onto Bishop Drive
Turn right onto Buckingham Drive
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.8 mi from Raleigh, NC · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$13.70 one way
$27.40 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Windsor on Thursday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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