This 137-mile drive from Tabor City, NC to Raleigh, NC is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated duration of 2 hours and 48 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with a 65% highway share, making it an efficient journey. You can expect to spend around $21 on fuel for this trip. Traveling within the Southeast region, this drive offers a practical way to get from one point in North Carolina to another without extensive planning. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
68.5 miles from Tabor City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 137 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on high-speed roads. With 65% of the route on highways, expect efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.5 miles on I 95, providing a solid period of consistent driving. The main roads you'll follow include I 95, I 40, and American Indian Highway, suggesting a mix of interstate cruising and potentially some arterial road travel as you approach your destination. This profile lends itself to a predictable and relatively quick journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 137 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 39.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
39.8 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward NC 41: Lumberton, Fairmont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NC 41: Lumberton, Fairmont
7
106.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
6
122 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
134.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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 Tabor City, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Fairmont and Wilmington.
Fairmont
39.8 mi in|~50m
Wilmington
106.7 mi in|~2h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
61.5 mi
1h 9m
I 40
26.7 mi
29m
American Indian Highway
10.7 mi
12m
Peacock Road
9.9 mi
13m
Andrew Jackson Highway
9.3 mi
10m
James B White Highway South
3.8 mi
5m
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
3.3 mi
6m
East 5th Street
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tabor City, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on NC 904
40 ft·7 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 701 Business; NC 410; NC 904
1.2 mi·1 min·East 5th Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 701; NC 410
0.8 mi·1 min·East 5th Street
4
Continue on US 701
3.8 mi·5 min·James B White Highway South
5
Turn left onto Peacock Road
9.9 mi·13 min·Peacock Road
6
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Chadbourn Highway
7
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130
0.9 mi·1 min·East Strawberry Boulevard
8
Turn right onto US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Brown Street
9
Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410
2.0 mi·3 min·Joe Brown Highway North
10
Take the ramp onto US 74 Business; NC 130
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 74 Business; NC 130
11
Merge onto US 74; NC 130
9.3 mi·10 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
12
Continue on US 74; NC 130
11 mi·12 min·American Indian Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward NC 41: Lumberton, Fairmont
14
Turn right onto NC 41
3.3 mi·6 min·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
15
Continue on Apple Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Apple Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto West 5th Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West 5th Street
17
Turn left onto North Water Street
393 ft·7 sec·North Water Street
18
Enter roundabout onto North Water Street
219 ft·3 sec·North Water Street
19
Continue on North Water Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Water Street
20
Turn straight onto Carthage Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carthage Road
21
Turn right onto Capuano Street
152 ft·6 sec·Capuano Street
22
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
23
Merge onto I 95; US 301
62 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 95; US 301
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, WilmingtonUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 West: Raleigh
26
Merge onto I 40
14 mi·15 min·I 40
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
13 mi·13 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Rock Quarry Road
30
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rock Quarry Road
31
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft·0 sec·East South Street
34
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 48-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you near Raleigh. With only one stop suggested and a total of 137 miles, you have plenty of flexibility in pacing your journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition from I 95 to I 40, as this is where the road character can begin to shift. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this North Carolina road trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Tabor City, NC, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 18m
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 Tabor City, 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 Tabor City, NC
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Tabor City, 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 I 95 for about 61.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Tabor City, NC
· 1h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.42 one way
$42.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.42
$46.85
premium
$4.70
$25.36
$50.71
diesel
$5.61
$30.25
$60.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.18
$8.77
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tabor City, NC
Late night
in Tabor City on Saturday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Raleigh, NC
Late night
in Raleigh on Saturday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 48m 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 Tabor City, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 137 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 40, American Indian Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Tabor City, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.42 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.
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 23 significant decision points across 137 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 39.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tabor City, NC and Raleigh, NC, road signs point toward Fairmont and Wilmington.
