How far is Apex, NC from Lenoir, NC?
The driving distance from Apex, NC to Lenoir, NC is about 175 miles (281.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.1 miles (243.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Lenoir.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Lenoir.
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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
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 64 West
1271 ft · 35 sec
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7
Merge slight left
32.9 mi · 43 min
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8
Take the exit right
1943 ft · 47 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Isaac Brooks Highway
25.5 mi · 31 min · Isaac Brooks Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 85, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte
1107 ft · 27 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South, US 421 North: Winston-Salem, Charlotte
1.3 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop
4.8 mi · 5 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Greensboro Urban Loop
6.7 mi · 7 min · Greensboro Urban Loop
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 421 North: Winston-Salem
5.8 mi · 7 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
18 mi · 21 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 421: Salem Parkway, Yadkinville
1087 ft · 27 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 421 North: Yadkinville
3269 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight right
48.3 mi · 56 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NC 16 South, NC 18: Wilkesboro, Taylorsville, Lenoir
860 ft · 21 sec
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20
Turn right onto South Cherry Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · South Cherry Street
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21
Turn right
25 mi · 37 min
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22
Turn right onto Ridge Street Northwest
123 m · 11 sec · Ridge Street Northwest
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23
Turn left onto West Avenue Northwest
696 ft · 39 sec · West Avenue Northwest
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24
Turn left onto Main Street Northwest
119 m · 24 sec · Main Street Northwest
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25
Turn left onto Harper Avenue Northwest
25 m · 3 sec · Harper Avenue Northwest
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Harper Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Lenoir.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 421 North
Merge slight right
48.3 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Lenoir.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apex to Lenoir?
The road trip is about 175 miles (281.7 km) and usually takes 03h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wallburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.4 miles from Apex and 87.6 miles from Lenoir.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.1 miles (243.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.48 one way or $48.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Lenoir.
Stop Ideas Near Wallburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wallburg.
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
High Point
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Lenoir. Straight-line distance: 151.14 mi (243.24 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 Lenoir
City in Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 17,911 |
| Coordinates | 35.9140200, -81.5389800 |
| Altitude | 357 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lenoir (-81.53898, 35.91402)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.48 | $48.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.37 | $54.74 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.53 | $59.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.76 | $69.51 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.