How far is Apex, NC from Tarboro, NC?

The driving distance from Apex, NC to Tarboro, NC is about 85.4 miles (137.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.5 miles (119.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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
85.47 mi
01h 39m
Flight
74.51 mi
119.92 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
74.51 mi
Kilometers
119.92 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
85.47 mi
Kilometers
137.55 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tarboro
Thu, Apr 16, 9:07 PM EDT
Return by in Apex
Thu, Apr 16, 10:46 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apex
2026-04-16T19:28
Arrive Tarboro
Thu, Apr 16, 9:07 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:12 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
Bunn
NC

Human settlement in Franklin County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Apex
42.7 mi
00h 49m
To Tarboro
42.8 mi
00h 49m

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
90°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Salem Street

    16 m · 10 sec · North Salem Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Center Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Center Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Ten Ten Road

    948 ft · 20 sec · Ten Ten Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 1 North: Raleigh

    1243 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, US 64 East: Benson, Rocky Mount

    1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dan K Moore Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

    17.2 mi · 19 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    48.2 mi · 52 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    1464 ft · 36 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    37 m · 9 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    2257 ft · 44 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Saint James Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Saint James Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Trade Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Trade Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Trade Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
68.5 mi · 80%
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
5.19 mi · 6%
Dan K Moore Freeway
4.62 mi · 5%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.16 mi · 4%
Center Street
1.64 mi · 2%
West Saint James Street
0.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

48.2 mi · 00h 52m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
74.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bunn
00h 49m from Apex
Leave By
3:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Apex and Mostly Sunny near Tarboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 85.4 miles (137.5 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Bunn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.7 miles from Apex and 42.8 miles from Tarboro.

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

The direct path is about 74.5 miles (119.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.96 one way or $23.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Bunn

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

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

41 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Wilson

41 mi away
401 East Nash Street
RAIL

Rocky Mount

41 mi away
101 Hammond Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

45 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Tarboro. Straight-line distance: 74.51 mi (119.92 km).

Apex

#1 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

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

#2 Tarboro

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population10,575
Coordinates35.8968200, -77.5358000
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: Apex (-78.85029, 35.73265)
End: Tarboro (-77.5358, 35.89682)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 138 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.02 gal
11.42 L · about $11.96
Round trip
$23.92
6.04 gal · 22.84 L
Estimated CO2
26.8 kg one way
Round trip: 53.7 kg / 118 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.96 $23.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $13.38 $26.75
Premium $4.78 $14.43 $28.86
Diesel $5.62 $16.98 $33.97

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 Tarboro. The current time is 19:28:02.

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.