How far is Apex, NC from Knightdale, NC?
The driving distance from Apex, NC to Knightdale, NC is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Apex and Knightdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Knightdale.
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1
Start on North Salem Street
16 m · 10 sec · North Salem Street
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2
Turn left onto Center Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · Center Street
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3
Continue on Ten Ten Road
948 ft · 20 sec · Ten Ten Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 1 North: Raleigh
1243 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, US 64 East: Benson, Rocky Mount
1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Dan K Moore Freeway
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8
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount
2.8 mi · 3 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
6.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward South Smithfield Road
1723 ft · 44 sec
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12
Turn left onto Smithfield Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Smithfield Road
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13
Turn right onto Railroad Street
135 m · 20 sec · Railroad Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Knightdale.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 87 North
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville
6.14 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Knightdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apex to Knightdale?
The road trip is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.4 miles from Apex and 13.4 miles from Knightdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Knightdale.
Stop Ideas Near Raleigh
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Raleigh.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Knightdale. Straight-line distance: 21.08 mi (33.92 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 Knightdale
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 18,122 |
| Coordinates | 35.7876500, -78.4805600 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knightdale (-78.48056, 35.78765)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.76 | $7.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.54 | $9.08 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.34 | $10.69 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.