How far is Apex, NC from Matthews, NC?
The driving distance from Apex, NC to Matthews, NC is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.7 miles (183 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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 Richmond County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Matthews.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Matthews.
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1
Start on North Salem Street
2300 ft · 1 min · North Salem Street
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2
Turn left onto East Williams Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Williams Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 1 South: Sanford
1211 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway
23 mi · 27 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right
3281 ft · 47 sec
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7
Merge slight left
43.4 mi · 53 min
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8
Turn right onto East Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Green Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Avenue
15.5 mi · 21 min · Broad Avenue
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10
Continue on East Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street
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11
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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12
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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14
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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15
Continue on East Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard
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16
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2247 ft · 35 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Monroe Expressway
18.4 mi · 21 min · Monroe Expressway
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18
Merge slight right onto Independence Boulevard
2.2 mi · 3 min · Independence Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto Matthews-Mint Hill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Matthews-Mint Hill Road
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20
Continue on East Matthews Street
656 ft · 20 sec · East Matthews Street
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21
Turn left onto North Trade Street
1077 ft · 26 sec · North Trade Street
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22
Turn right onto West John Street
149 m · 19 sec · West John Street
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23
Turn right onto North Freemont Street
4 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Freemont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Matthews.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jefferson Davis Highway
Merge slight left
43.4 mi · 00h 53m
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 Matthews.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apex to Matthews?
The road trip is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Hoffman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.4 miles from Apex and 72.5 miles from Matthews.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.7 miles (183 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 10:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.24 one way or $40.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Matthews.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman
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 Hoffman.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Matthews. Straight-line distance: 113.74 mi (183.04 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 Matthews
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 33,718 |
| Coordinates | 35.1168100, -80.7236800 |
| Altitude | 222 |
| Country | United States |
End: Matthews (-80.72368, 35.11681)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.24 | $40.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.63 | $45.26 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.42 | $48.83 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.74 | $57.48 |
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.