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Trip from Southport, NC to West Raleigh, NC

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

162.5 mi

261 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 57m ★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Southport, NC, NC

Southport, NC

Michael Ken

Downtown West Raleigh, NC, NC

West Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

Trip Overview

The drive from Southport, NC to West Raleigh, NC covers 162.5 miles and takes about 3h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Michael Jordan Highway, I 140, I 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.01 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.2 miles from Southport, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 8m drive with frequent turns across 162.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

401 ft 17 ft

Total Climb

420 ft

Total Descent

35 ft

Highest Point

401 ft

~162.5 mi in

Elevation Range

385 ft

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 16.3 miles in near US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 162.5 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
16.3 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East

Merge onto US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
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.
8
158.8 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the exit toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 298B Toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: R...

Towns Along This Route

Between Southport, NC and West Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington and Raleigh.

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

Raleigh

39.8 mi in | ~51m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Michael Jordan Highway 103.3 mi 1h 50m
I 140 19.7 mi 22m
I 40 14.7 mi 16m
George II Highway 11.7 mi 16m
Ocean Highway East 3.5 mi 4m
River Road Southeast 3.3 mi 5m
Western 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 West 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 39 Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern Use 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

15 mi · 16 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Exit 298B Toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh Downtown Use the right lane.
12

Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Saunders Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Western Boulevard
14

Turn straight onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
15

Continue on Western Boulevard

1.2 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn slight right

429 ft · 10 sec
Toward Pullen Road
17

Turn right onto Pullen Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Pullen Road
18

Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road

63 ft · 2 sec · Pullen Road
19

Continue on Pullen Road

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Pullen Road
20

Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

205 ft · 6 sec · Hillsborough Street
21

Continue on Hillsborough Street

503 ft · 14 sec · Hillsborough Street
22

Turn right onto Enterprise Street

44 ft · 1 sec · Enterprise Street
23

Arrive at destination

Enterprise Street

Trip Plan

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 81.2 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 37m 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West 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 162.5 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 81.2 mi from Southport, NC · 1h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilmington, NC

81 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.

Popular next leg

Wilmington, NC to West Raleigh, NC

133.3 mi · 2h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Goldsboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.2 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 West Raleigh, NC

The final approach into West 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 West 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

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 28
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.01 one way

$52.01 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $28.34 $56.67
premium $4.78 $30.57 $61.14
diesel $5.64 $36.10 $72.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.8 0 $17.06 $7.80
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.22 $6.50
EV Truck/SUV 65 0 $22.75 $10.40

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Southport, NC

Afternoon in Southport on Sunday

Local time

4:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Sunny

SE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

West Raleigh, NC

Afternoon in West Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

4:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

S 8 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

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

9 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 8m 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 West Raleigh, NC covers 162.5 miles and takes about 3h 8m 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 81.2 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 $26.01 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 15 significant decision points across 162.5 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 16.3 miles (US 17; NC 87 / Ocean Highway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Southport, NC and West Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington and Raleigh.

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Explore More

Return Trip

West Raleigh, NC to Southport, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

162 mi 3h 7m

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