Origin
Reidsville, NC
Morning in Reidsville on Friday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
80.5 mi
130 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Reidsville, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Apex, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 80.5-mile drive from Reidsville, NC, to Apex, NC, should take you about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like I-40 and NC-87, so expect a consistent driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 80.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly on highways, with 79% of the journey utilizing these faster roads. You'll navigate on I-40 and NC-87, including the Sam Hunt Freeway, which contributes to the highway-focused profile. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.8 miles on I-40, offering a period of steady travel. While the route is largely on major arteries, the transition between these roads will define the character of your drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.4 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 44.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
44.4 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
65.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 279A
Toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway,...
7
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
6
76.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59B-A
8
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 64 East: Apex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59A
Toward US 64 East: Apex
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sanford along the way.
Sanford
65.2 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| NC 87 | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| Sam Hunt Freeway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Triangle Expressway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| West Webb Avenue | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Barnes Street | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| West Williams Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Harden Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 20.8 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reidsville, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on South Scales Street
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Scales Street
2
Turn left onto Richardson Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Drive
3
Turn right onto Barnes Street
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Barnes Street
4
Continue on NC 87
17 mi
·
20 min
·
NC 87
5
Turn left onto NC 87; NC 100
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Webb Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on NC 87
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Elm Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto NC 49; NC 54; NC 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Harden Street
Use the left lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto NC 54
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Harden Street
9
Continue on NC 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Harden Street
10
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
11
Merge onto I 40; I 85
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sam Hunt Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 279A
Toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto NC 885 Toll
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on NC 540 Toll
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 59B-A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 59A
Toward US 64 East: Apex
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 64
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 64
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
22
Turn right onto NC 55
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Williams Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Hunter Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunter Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto North Salem Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Salem Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive at your destination with plenty of time for activities. There are no specific stops recommended, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch on I-40. Planning your departure to avoid peak traffic on I-40 could make your journey even smoother. The estimated fuel cost of $13 means you can likely complete the trip on a single tank if you start with a full one.
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 40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apex, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Reidsville, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Reidsville, NC
This is one driving day of about 80.5 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Reidsville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 20.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Reidsville, NC · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apex, NC
The final approach into Apex, 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
$12.59 one way
$25.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $13.76 | $27.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $14.90 | $29.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.77 | $35.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.45 | $3.86 |
| Efficient EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.04 | $3.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.27 | $5.15 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Apex, NC
Morning in Apex on Friday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Graham, NC
40 mi in
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
1h 40m 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 Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC covers 80.5 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, NC 87, Sam Hunt Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.3 miles from Reidsville, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.59 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 80.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 44.4 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Reidsville, NC to Apex, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Sanford along the way.
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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