Trip from West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC

Drive Time

2h 42m

Distance

127.8 mi

206 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 32m ★

6 AM

2h 43m

8 AM

3h 4m

10 AM

2h 50m

12 PM

2h 48m

3 PM

2h 51m

5 PM

3h 3m

8 PM

2h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

West Raleigh, NC

Evgeniia Belman

Trip Overview

The drive from West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC covers 127.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East New Bern Road, US 70, Goldsboro Bypass for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.4 miles on East New Bern Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.45 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

63.9 miles from West Raleigh, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC covers 127.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

East New Bern Road is the longest continuous segment at about 33.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

401 ft 99 ft

Total Climb

0 ft

Total Descent

302 ft

Highest Point

401 ft

Elevation Range

302 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Pullen Road.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 127.8 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 0.1 miles (Pullen Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Western Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Pullen Road

Turn right onto Pullen Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | Western Boulevard

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

14.5 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 42 / Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 309 Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro

32.3 mi into trip | ~40m in | US 70 BYP

Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Goldsboro along the way.

Goldsboro

14.5 mi in | ~19m | via I 42

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East New Bern Road	33.4 mi	36m
US 70	21.2 mi	25m
Goldsboro Bypass	19.8 mi	21m
US 70 BYP	14.3 mi	19m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway	10.8 mi	12m
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway	10.2 mi	11m
Broad Creek Road	5.7 mi	13m
West New Bern Road	3.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: East New Bern Road — 33.4 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh, NC and Fairfield Harbour, NC.

Start on Enterprise Street

44 ft · 3 sec · Enterprise Street

Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

401 ft · 13 sec · Hillsborough Street

Turn slight right

104 ft · 6 sec

Turn right onto Pullen Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Pullen Road

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road

76 ft · 2 sec · Pullen Road

Continue on Pullen Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Pullen Road

Turn left onto Western Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Dawson Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 70; US 401; NC 50

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Saunders Street

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 40; US 64

2.6 mi · 3 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

Toward I 40 East: Wilmington

Keep slight right at fork onto I 42

10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Exit 309 Toward I 42 East: Smithfield, Goldsboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 70

7.6 mi · 9 min · US 70

Keep slight left at fork onto US 70 BYP

14 mi · 19 min · US 70 BYP

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 70

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 70

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 42

20 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 70

11 mi · 13 min · US 70

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto US 70; US 258

3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 70; NC 58

33 mi · 36 min · East New Bern Road

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 17; NC 55

0.7 mi · 46 sec · US 17; NC 55

Continue on US 17; NC 55

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 17; NC 55

Exit 417B

Take the exit onto NC 55

0.8 mi · 1 min · NC 55

Keep slight right at fork onto NC 55

0.7 mi · 1 min · NC 55

Turn right onto Broad Creek Road

5.7 mi · 13 min · Broad Creek Road

Turn right onto Cassowary Lane

473 ft · 25 sec · Cassowary Lane

Turn right onto Caracara Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Caracara Drive

Turn left onto Pelican Drive

0.6 mi · 2 min · Pelican Drive

Arrive at destination

Pelican Drive

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 63.9 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield Harbour, 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 127.8 miles and 2h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 East New Bern Road for about 33.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.9 mi from West Raleigh, NC · 1h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Goldsboro, NC

64 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

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 63.9 miles from West Raleigh, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fairfield Harbour, NC

The final approach into Fairfield Harbour, 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 Fairfield Harbour, 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

$20.45 one way

$40.91 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$22.28	$44.57
premium	$4.78	$24.04	$48.08
diesel	$5.64	$28.39	$56.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.3	$13.42	$6.13
Efficient EV	32	$11.18	$5.11
EV Truck/SUV	51.1	$17.89	$8.18

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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

West Raleigh, NC

Afternoon in West Raleigh on Sunday

Local time

4:39 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

Destination

Fairfield Harbour, NC

Afternoon in Fairfield Harbour on Sunday

Local time

4:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly 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

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

7 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 42m 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 West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC covers 127.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East New Bern Road, US 70, Goldsboro Bypass. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 63.9 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 $20.45 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from West Raleigh, NC to Fairfield Harbour, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Goldsboro along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Fairfield Harbour, NC to West Raleigh, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

127.4 mi 2h 42m

More from West Raleigh, NC

Archdale, NC 195.7 mi · 3h 47m Boone, NC 186.5 mi · 3h 50m Charlotte, NC 162.3 mi · 3h 8m Southport, NC 162 mi · 3h 7m Boiling Spring Lakes, NC 153.7 mi · 2h 54m Davidson, NC 152.1 mi · 3h 5m

Explore more options from West Raleigh, NC or browse trips ending in Fairfield Harbour, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.

Explore maps for West Raleigh, NC or Fairfield Harbour, NC on MapSof.net.