Origin
West Raleigh, NC
Afternoon in West Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
1:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Raleigh, NC to Dana, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
251.2 mi
404 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
Dana, NC
C k
Trip Overview
The drive from West Raleigh, NC to Dana, NC covers 251.2 miles and takes about 5h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Dan K. Moore Frwy, Chimney Rock Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 154 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 251.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 5m highway drive covering 251.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. The longest continuous stretch is about 154 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 154 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Dan K. Moore Frwy. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Hillsborough Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 251.2 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 0.7 miles (Hillsborough Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Hillsborough Street
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Wade Avenue
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
74.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Raleigh, NC and Dana, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Old Fort.
Statesville
87.3 mi in
|
~1h 44m
|
via I 40
Old Fort
221 mi in
|
~4h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 154 mi | 2h 55m |
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 61.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| Chimney Rock Road | 7 mi | 11m |
| NC 9 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Bat Cave Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Old Fort Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Ridge Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 154 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh, NC and Dana, NC.
1
Start on Enterprise Street
44 ft
·
7 sec
·
Enterprise Street
2
Turn right onto Hillsborough Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillsborough Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
107 ft
·
1 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
4
Continue on Hillsborough Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
6
Continue on Hillsborough Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
7
Enter roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
99 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
8
Continue on Hillsborough Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Hillsborough Street
9
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Faircloth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Wade Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wade Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
134 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Old Fort
17
Turn left onto Catawba Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Catawba Avenue
18
Continue on Bat Cave Road
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Bat Cave Road
19
Continue on Old Fort Road
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Old Fort Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto Old Fort Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Fort Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto NC 9
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
NC 9
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 74A; NC 9
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Gerton Highway
23
Continue on US 64
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Chimney Rock Road
24
Turn left onto Laycock Road
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Laycock Road
25
At end of road, turn right onto Ridge Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Ridge Road
26
Arrive at destination
Ridge Road
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 125.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 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 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dana, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Raleigh, 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 West Raleigh, NC
This is one driving day of about 251.2 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from West Raleigh, 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 40 for about 154 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.6 mi from West Raleigh, NC · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154 miles.
Arriving in Dana, NC
The final approach into Dana, 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 Dana, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.28 one way
$78.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $42.95 | $85.90 |
| premium | $4.70 | $46.49 | $92.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.46 | $110.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.38 | $12.06 |
| Efficient EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.98 | $10.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.17 | $16.08 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Dana, NC
Afternoon in Dana on Thursday
Local time
1:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from West Raleigh, NC to Dana, NC covers 251.2 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Dan K. Moore Frwy, Chimney Rock Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.28 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 251.2 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 0.7 miles (Hillsborough Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Raleigh, NC and Dana, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Old Fort.
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