Origin
West Raleigh, NC
Night in West Raleigh on Thursday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Raleigh, NC to King, NC
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
113.4 mi
182 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Raleigh, NC
Evgeniia Belman
King, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from West Raleigh, NC, your journey to King, NC, covers 113.4 miles and is estimated to take around 2 hours and 18 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll primarily navigate via the Dan K. Moore Frwy, I-40, and the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, with about 29% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $18. This route keeps you within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward passage within North Carolina.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from West Raleigh, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 113.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent turns and changes in road type than a pure interstate cruise. While 29% of the drive utilizes highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 61.5 miles on the Dan K. Moore Frwy. This suggests a journey that blends some faster-paced highway segments with more involved local road navigation, requiring your attention as you transition between different road systems.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dan K. Moore Frwy is the longest continuous segment at about 61.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near Wade Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 113.4 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 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
8
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
US 421 / Salem Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
93.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward NC 74 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward NC 74 West
7
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
NC 74
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward US 52 North: Mount Airy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dan K. Moore Frwy | 61.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 40 | 20.3 mi | 24m |
| Winston-Salem Northern Beltway | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| Salem Parkway | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| John Gold Memorial Expressway | 4 mi | 4m |
| Wade Avenue | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| NC 74 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Dan K. Moore Frwy
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh, NC and King, 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 right at fork onto US 421
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Salem Parkway
Exit 206
Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 227
Toward NC 74 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NC 74
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
NC 74
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 52
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward King, Tobaccoville
21
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach King, NC, without feeling rushed. Since this is a relatively short, single-day trip, you have flexibility in planning stops; however, consider breaking up the 61.5-mile stretch on the Dan K. Moore Frwy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transitions onto and off the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, as these can be busy points in the drive.
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 56.7 miles from West Raleigh, NC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 56.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 King, 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 113.4 miles and 2h 18m.
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 Dan K. Moore Frwy for about 61.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.7 mi from West Raleigh, NC · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.7 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 Dan K. Moore Frwy if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.
Arriving in King, NC
The final approach into King, 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 King, 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
$17.73 one way
$35.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.39 | $38.78 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.99 | $41.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.04 | $50.07 |
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: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
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.
Destination
King, NC
Night in King on Thursday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
22 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 18m 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 King, NC covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dan K. Moore Frwy, I 40, Winston-Salem Northern Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.7 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 $17.73 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 113.4 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 1.8 miles (Wade Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from West Raleigh, NC to King, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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