This 115.1-mile drive from West Raleigh, NC, to Half Moon, NC, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 22 minutes on the road, primarily using I-40 and NC-24, with a portion on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it’s an economical option for a quick trip. Since both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region and North Carolina, you won't be crossing major geographical boundaries. This route is ideal for a day trip, offering a direct path with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 115.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway-based, with 83% of the drive on main roads like I-40 and NC-24. You'll experience a longest stretch of 61.7 miles on I-40, which means extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily a highway-focused drive, the inclusion of NC-24 and Thomas Bradshaw Freeway offers some variation from the interstate. The character is generally efficient and direct, prioritizing getting you to your destination rather than winding through scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 61.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and NC 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pullen Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 115.1 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 0.2 miles (Pullen Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; 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 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Pullen Road
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Western Boulevard
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
6
14.5 mi into trip|~19m 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.
8
16.6 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
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 Half Moon, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Kenansville.
Wilmington
18.3 mi in|~24m|via I 40
Kenansville
77.9 mi in|~1h 27m|via NC 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
61.7 mi
1h 6m
NC 24
23.3 mi
33m
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.8 mi
12m
Gum Branch Road
6.8 mi
10m
South Kenansville Bypass
6 mi
8m
Western Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
West Franck Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Saunders Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh, NC and Half Moon, NC.
1
Start on Enterprise Street
44 ft·3 sec·Enterprise Street
2
Turn left onto Hillsborough Street
401 ft·13 sec·Hillsborough Street
3
Turn slight right
104 ft·6 sec
4
Turn right onto Pullen Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Pullen Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Pullen Road
76 ft·2 sec·Pullen Road
6
Continue on Pullen Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pullen Road
7
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·24 sec
9
Turn straight onto US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Dawson Street
10
Continue on US 70; US 401; NC 50
0.8 mi·1 min·South Saunders Street
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40; US 64
2.6 mi·3 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
8.1 mi·9 min·Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Toward I 40 East: Wilmington
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
2.1 mi·2 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland RdUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 40
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
17
Take the exit onto NC 24
0.3 mi·47 sec·NC 24
Toward NC 24 East, NC 903: Magnolia, Kenansville
18
Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903
6.0 mi·8 min·South Kenansville Bypass
19
Turn right onto NC 24
23 mi·32 min·NC 24
20
Turn left onto West Franck Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Franck Street
21
Continue on Gum Branch Road
6.8 mi·10 min·Gum Branch Road
22
Turn left onto Ramsey Road
96 ft·1 sec·Ramsey Road
23
Arrive at destination
Ramsey Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 22-minute duration, departing West Raleigh in the morning allows ample time to reach Half Moon without feeling rushed. Since there are no mandated stops and the drive is under 120 miles, you have the flexibility to stop for breaks as needed. Pay attention to the fuel cost of $18, which is a good estimate for planning. A specific tip for this route: ensure you are comfortable with extended highway driving, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 60 miles on I-40.
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 57.6 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.7 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 6m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Half Moon, 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 115.1 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from West Raleigh, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 61.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.6 mi from West Raleigh, NC
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.00 one way
$36.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.68
$39.36
premium
$4.70
$21.30
$42.61
diesel
$5.61
$25.41
$50.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
North Hills - Tesla Supercharger
Raleigh, NC
Tesla
24 DCFC
Regency Centers Midtown East (Raleigh, NC)
Raleigh, NC
Electrify America
10 DCFC
Ridgewood Shopping Center
Raleigh, NC
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Target T0961 (Cary, NC)
Cary, NC
Electrify America
3 DCFC
Courtyard Marriot
Raleigh, NC
eVgo Network
1 DCFC
Sheetz
Raleigh, NC
eVgo Network
1 DCFC
eVgo Network: 3
Electrify America: 2
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.09
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.07
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.11
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 12, 2026
Origin
West Raleigh, NC
Evening
in West Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
6:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Half Moon, NC
Evening
in Half Moon on Thursday
Local time
6:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Mount Olive, NC
58 mi in
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
20 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 22m 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 West Raleigh, NC to Half Moon, NC covers 115.1 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, NC 24, 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 57.6 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 $18.00 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 115.1 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 0.2 miles (Pullen Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; 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.
Between West Raleigh, NC and Half Moon, NC, road signs point toward Wilmington and Kenansville.
