How far is Apex, NC from Kannapolis, NC?

The driving distance from Apex, NC to Kannapolis, NC is about 130.5 miles (210 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.51 mi
02h 38m
Flight
100.94 mi
162.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Apex.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
100.94 mi
Kilometers
162.44 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.51 mi
Kilometers
210.04 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 02h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kannapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 11:35 AM EDT
Return by in Apex
Thu, Apr 23, 2:13 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apex
2026-04-23T08:56
Arrive Kannapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 11:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Apex
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Pleasant Garden
NC

City in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Apex
65.2 mi
01h 19m
To Kannapolis
65.3 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Apex and Kannapolis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Kannapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on North Salem Street

    117 m · 20 sec · North Salem Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Saunders Street

    2033 ft · 1 min · Saunders Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Chatham Street

    1652 ft · 44 sec · West Chatham Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Hunter Street

    90 m · 9 sec · Hunter Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Williams Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 64 West

    1271 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    32.9 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit right

    1943 ft · 47 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Isaac Brooks Highway

    25.5 mi · 31 min · Isaac Brooks Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte

    1107 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte

    1.3 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop

    4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South: High Point, Charlotte

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    58.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Copperfield Boulevard

    1792 ft · 48 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Dale Earnhardt Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Ford Street

    134 m · 21 sec · Ford Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Cadillac Street

    707 ft · 31 sec · Cadillac Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Kannapolis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 South
61.5 mi · 47%
US 64 West
33.5 mi · 26%
Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi · 20%
Greensboro Urban Loop
4.78 mi · 4%
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard
2.8 mi · 2%
West Williams Street
1.19 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 South

Keep slight left

58.2 mi · 01h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.6 mi
100.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pleasant Garden
01h 19m from Apex
Leave By
1:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Kannapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Apex to Kannapolis?

The road trip is about 130.5 miles (210 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?

Pleasant Garden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Apex and 65.3 miles from Kannapolis.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 1:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.22 one way or $36.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Kannapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Garden

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pleasant Garden, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasant Garden.

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

13 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

22 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

33 mi away
101 North Main Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

44 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Kannapolis. Straight-line distance: 100.94 mi (162.44 km).

Apex

#1 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population64,388
Coordinates35.7326500, -78.8502900
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Kannapolis

#2 Kannapolis

The most populous city in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Population52,007
Coordinates35.4873600, -80.6217300
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Start: Apex (-78.85029, 35.73265)
End: Kannapolis (-80.62173, 35.48736)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.43 L · about $18.22
Round trip
$36.44
9.2 gal · 34.86 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $18.22 $36.44
Mid-grade $4.43 $20.37 $40.75
Premium $4.78 $21.98 $43.96
Diesel $5.62 $25.87 $51.74

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Apex and Kannapolis. The current time is 08:56:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.