The drive from Tarboro, NC to Apex, NC covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 64, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, Thomas Bradshaw Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.7 miles on US 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.45 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 miles from Tarboro, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 86 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 86 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.7 miles on US 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.9 miles in near US 64.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 16 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 77.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.5 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
9
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 293A
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
6
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64 toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Asheboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Ashebor...
7
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Ten Ten Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 96
Toward Ten Ten Road
7
86 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|North Salem Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tarboro, NC and Apex, NC, road signs point toward Wake Forest, Sanford and Asheboro.
Wake Forest
77.6 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 64
Sanford
77.6 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 64
Asheboro
77.6 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 64
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 64
67.7 mi
1h 14m
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
4.9 mi
5m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.3 mi
4m
Dan K Moore Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
I 87
2.7 mi
3m
Center Street
1.5 mi
3m
West Saint James Street
0.8 mi
2m
Western Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 67.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tarboro, NC and Apex, NC.
1
Start on Trade Street
22 ft·8 sec·Trade Street
2
Turn left onto West Saint James Street
0.8 mi·2 min·West Saint James Street
3
Turn left onto US 64 ALT; NC 111; NC 122
0.3 mi·27 sec·Western Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
5
Merge onto US 64
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.7 mi·3 min·I 87; I 440; US 64
7
Merge onto I 40; US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40; US 64
2.7 mi·3 min·Dan K Moore Freeway
9
Continue on I 40; US 64
1.1 mi·1 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10
Continue on I 40; US 64
0.7 mi·50 sec·Dan K Moore Freeway
11
Take the exit onto US 64
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 64
Toward I 440 East, US 1, US 64 West: Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford, Asheboro
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·40 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 64
Exit 293AToward US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, AsheboroUse the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Asheboro
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.4 mi·27 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
0.1 mi·8 sec·US 64
Toward US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro
17
Merge onto US 1; US 64
4.9 mi·5 min·Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 96Toward Ten Ten RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 1010
1.5 mi·3 min·Center Street
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto North Salem Street
51 ft·1 sec·North Salem Street
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
North Salem Street
Trip Plan
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 43 miles from Tarboro, NC, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.7 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 48m 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 21m
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 Tarboro, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tarboro, NC
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Tarboro, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 64 for about 67.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.45 one way
$26.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.70
$29.41
premium
$4.70
$15.92
$31.83
diesel
$5.61
$18.99
$37.98
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: 30.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Electrify America Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Universal Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Blink
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Other: 6
Blink: 4
Tesla Destination: 2
Electrify America: 1
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.03
$4.13
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Tarboro, NC
Late night
in Tarboro on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Apex, NC
Late night
in Apex on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
25 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 39m 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 Tarboro, NC to Apex, NC covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway, Thomas Bradshaw 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 43 miles from Tarboro, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.45 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 86 miles you will encounter 16 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 77.9 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.5 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tarboro, NC and Apex, NC, road signs point toward Wake Forest, Sanford and Asheboro.
