Origin
Washington, NC
Afternoon in Washington on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington, NC to Raleigh, NC
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
106.9 mi
172 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, NC
R9 Media Photo Collective
Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Trip Overview
Stretching 106.9 miles across eastern North Carolina, this trip from Washington to Raleigh is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. Navigating through the Southeast, the route transitions from the coastal plain toward the state capital. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a visit, the lack of mandatory stops allows you to complete the trip efficiently in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
53.5 miles from Washington, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, transitioning between local roads and faster highway segments. You will spend roughly 41% of your journey on major highways, including I-587, the John P. East Memorial Highway, and Pactolus Highway. The most significant portion of your drive features a 40.8-mile stretch on I-587, which provides a steady, uninterrupted rhythm. Expect the road personality to shift as you move away from Washington, blending slower highway sections with more direct, high-speed interstate travel. The combination of these road types ensures you get a blend of local transit and efficient highway cruising.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 587 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in near US 264 / Martin Luther King Junior Highway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 106.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 17.8 miles (US 264 / Martin Luther King Junior Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles (I 587; I 795; US 264): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
17.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 264 / Martin Luther King Junior Highway
Turn right onto US 264 / Martin Luther King Junior Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 587; I 795; US 264
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
104.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
5
105.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
106.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
South Wilmington Street
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 587 | 40.8 mi | 43m |
| John P East Memorial Highway | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Pactolus Highway | 14.2 mi | 18m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| West 5th Street | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| I 87 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rock Quarry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 587
— 40.8 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, NC and Raleigh, NC.
1
Start on US 264; NC 92
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West 5th Street
2
Continue on US 264
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Pactolus Highway
3
Turn right onto US 264
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 587 West: Wilson
5
Merge onto I 587
33 mi
·
34 min
·
John P East Memorial Highway
6
Merge onto I 587; I 795; US 264
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 587; I 795; US 264
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 87; I 440; US 64
8
Merge onto I 40; US 64
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
11
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Rock Quarry Road
12
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Wilmington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto East South Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East South Street
15
Arrive at destination
East South Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour-and-5-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Since there are no mandatory stops required to finish the 106.9-mile trip, you can easily tailor your schedule to avoid peak traffic hours in Raleigh. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider fueling up before you leave Washington to keep your $17 estimated fuel cost predictable. Pay close attention to the transition points between Pactolus Highway and I-587 to ensure you stay on track. Because this is a relatively quick trip, prioritize comfort by leaving early in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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 53.5 miles from Washington, NC, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 1h 4m 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 40m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, NC
This is one driving day of about 106.9 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Washington, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 587 for about 40.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.5 mi from Washington, NC · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.5 miles from Washington, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.11 one way
$34.22 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $18.64 | $37.28 |
| premium | $4.78 | $20.11 | $40.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.75 | $47.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.22 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.35 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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
Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in Raleigh on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
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
2h 5m 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 Washington, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 106.9 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 587, John P East Memorial Highway, Pactolus Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 miles from Washington, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.11 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 106.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 17.8 miles (US 264 / Martin Luther King Junior Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles (I 587; I 795; US 264): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Washington, NC to Raleigh, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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