This 159.1-mile drive from Southport, NC, to Raleigh, NC, is a manageable one-day trip taking approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major highways, including Michael Jordan Highway, I-140, and I-40, with about 20% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $25. Given the relatively short duration and distance, it’s perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. This route keeps you within the Southeast region, traversing North Carolina throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.5 miles from Southport, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 159.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this trip. While 20% of the route utilizes highways, the majority of your time will be on local roads, characterized by frequent turns and changes in speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway, offering a more sustained period of driving before the local sections become more prominent. This suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Michael Jordan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.8 miles in near I 140.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 159.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
19.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 140
Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
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 39
Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...
6
39.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
6
144 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
156.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
6
158.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southport, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern and Wilmington.
Jacksonville
19.8 mi in|~29m|via I 140
New Bern
19.8 mi in|~29m|via I 140
Wilmington
39.5 mi in|~51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
I 140
19.7 mi
22m
I 40
12.6 mi
13m
George II Highway
11.7 mi
16m
Ocean Highway East
3.5 mi
4m
River Road Southeast
3.3 mi
5m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
North Howe Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Michael Jordan Highway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southport, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on NC 211
1.2 mi·2 min·North Howe Street
2
Turn straight
381 ft·13 sec
3
Turn slight right onto NC 87
3.3 mi·5 min·River Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn straight onto NC 87
12 mi·16 min·George II Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 17; NC 87
3.5 mi·4 min·Ocean Highway East
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 140
20 mi·22 min·I 140
Exit 39Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New BernUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
9
Merge onto I 40
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Michael Jordan Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi·13 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rock Quarry Road
13
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rock Quarry Road
14
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
17
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, an early morning departure from Southport is recommended to maximize your time in Raleigh. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between Michael Jordan Highway and other local roads, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $25 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your timing based on traffic or your preference for breaks.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.5 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.5 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southport, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southport, NC
This is one driving day of about 159.1 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Southport, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Michael Jordan Highway for about 103.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.5 mi from Southport, NC
· 1h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 79.5 miles from Southport, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Michael Jordan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.3 miles.
Arriving in Raleigh, NC
The final approach into Raleigh, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Raleigh, NC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Moores Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.88 one way
$49.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.20
$54.41
premium
$4.70
$29.45
$58.89
diesel
$5.61
$35.13
$70.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.71
$7.64
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.92
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Southport, NC
Late night
in Southport on Saturday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Late night
in Raleigh on Saturday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 12 mph0% chanceLive 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
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
3h 4m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Southport, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 159.1 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Michael Jordan Highway, I 140, I 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.5 miles from Southport, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 159.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Southport, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern and Wilmington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Moores Creek National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
