How far is Apex, NC from Southern Pines, NC?

The driving distance from Apex, NC to Southern Pines, NC is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m 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
55.61 mi
01h 08m
Flight
49.19 mi
79.17 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
49.19 mi
Kilometers
79.17 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.61 mi
Kilometers
89.5 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Southern Pines
Thu, Apr 16, 3:47 PM EDT
Return by in Apex
Thu, Apr 16, 4:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apex
2026-04-16T14:38
Arrive Southern Pines
Thu, Apr 16, 3:47 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:12 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Sanford
NC

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

From Apex
27.8 mi
00h 34m
To Southern Pines
27.8 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Southern Pines.

  1. 1

    Start on North Salem Street

    2300 ft · 1 min · North Salem Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Williams Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East Williams Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward US 1 South: Sanford

    1211 ft · 30 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

    15.7 mi · 17 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway

    23 mi · 27 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    3281 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    13.8 mi · 18 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    892 ft · 22 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West Pennsylvania Avenue

    2634 ft · 1 min · West Pennsylvania Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Pennsylvania Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jefferson Davis Highway
37.5 mi · 67%
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
15.7 mi · 28%
East Williams Street
1.18 mi · 2%
West Pennsylvania Avenue
0.5 mi · 1%
North Salem Street
0.44 mi · 1%
US 1 South
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

Jefferson Davis Highway

Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway

23 mi · 00h 27m

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
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.4 mi
49.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sanford
00h 34m from Apex
Leave By
4:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Southern Pines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Apex to Southern Pines?

The road trip is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Sanford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.8 miles from Apex and 27.8 miles from Southern Pines.

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

The direct path is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.76 one way or $15.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Southern Pines.

Stop Ideas Near Sanford

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sanford, 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 Sanford.

RAIL

Southern Pines

39 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Cary

50 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

54 mi away
472 Hay Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

55 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Southern Pines. Straight-line distance: 49.19 mi (79.17 km).

Apex

#1 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population64,388
Coordinates35.7326500, -78.8502900
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Southern Pines

#2 Southern Pines

Town in North Carolina, USA

Population15,070
Coordinates35.1740500, -79.3922500
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Apex (-78.85029, 35.73265)
End: Southern Pines (-79.39225, 35.17405)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.96 gal
7.43 L · about $7.76
Round trip
$15.53
3.92 gal · 14.86 L
Estimated CO2
17.4 kg one way
Round trip: 34.8 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.76 $15.53
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.68 $17.36
Premium $4.78 $9.36 $18.73
Diesel $5.62 $11.02 $22.05

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Apex and Southern Pines. The current time is 14:38:39.

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.