How far is Apex, NC from Elon, NC?
The driving distance from Apex, NC to Elon, NC is about 59.7 miles (96 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.7 miles (72 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Apex and Elon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Elon.
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1
Start on North Salem Street
117 m · 20 sec · North Salem Street
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2
Turn right onto Saunders Street
2033 ft · 1 min · Saunders Street
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3
Turn right onto West Chatham Street
1652 ft · 44 sec · West Chatham Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hunter Street
90 m · 9 sec · Hunter Street
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5
Turn right onto West Williams Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 64 West
1271 ft · 35 sec
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7
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll North
2731 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
7.5 mi · 8 min · Triangle Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
1.5 km · 1 min
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11
Continue on Triangle Expressway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway
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12
Continue on Durham Freeway
557 ft · 7 sec · Durham Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 West: Chapel Hill
1159 ft · 33 sec
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14
Merge slight left
35.5 mi · 41 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
1360 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn right onto East Harden Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Harden Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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19
Take the exit straight
5 mi · 7 min
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20
Turn left onto East Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · East Haggard Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Haggard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Elon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
Merge slight left
35.5 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Elon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apex to Elon?
The road trip is about 59.7 miles (96 km) and usually takes 01h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.8 miles from Apex and 29.8 miles from Elon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.7 miles (72 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.36 one way or $16.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Elon.
Stop Ideas Near Carrboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Elon. Straight-line distance: 44.76 mi (72.03 km).
#1 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elon (-79.50669, 36.10291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 96 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.36 | $16.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $9.35 | $18.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $10.08 | $20.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $11.87 | $23.73 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.