Drive Time
59m
Distance
47.4 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Photo: Evgeniia Belman
The drive from Wilson, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 47.4 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 264, Raleigh Road Parkway West, I 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34 miles on US 264. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.59 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
23.7 miles from Wilson, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
This is a 59m highway drive covering 47.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 264 and Raleigh Road Parkway West. The longest continuous stretch is about 34 miles on US 264.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 264 and Raleigh Road Parkway West. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in near US 264.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 7.8 miles (US 264): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto US 264
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Rock Quarry Rd North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East South Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Wilson, NC to Raleigh, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Quarry Rd North along the way.
Rock Quarry Rd North
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 264 | 34 mi | 36m |
| Raleigh Road Parkway West | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| I 87 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Hines Street West | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Rock Quarry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Wilmington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wilson, NC and Raleigh, NC.
Start on Hines Street South
Continue on Hines Street West
Continue on Raleigh Road Parkway West
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 264
Merge onto I 87; I 440; US 64
Merge onto I 40; US 64
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
Turn left onto East South Street
Arrive at 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.
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 47.4 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.7 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raleigh, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wilson, 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 Wilson, NC
This is one driving day of about 47.4 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.7 mi from Wilson, NC · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 47.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.7 miles from Wilson, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$7.59 one way
$15.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $8.27 | $16.53 |
| premium | $4.78 | $8.92 | $17.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.53 | $21.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.15 | $1.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19 | 0 | $6.64 | $3.03 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Wilson on Saturday
Local time
10:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Raleigh on Saturday
Local time
10:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
West Raleigh, NC
24 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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