How far is Apex, NC from Waxhaw, NC?

The driving distance from Apex, NC to Waxhaw, NC is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
143.44 mi
03h 10m
Flight
120.43 mi
193.82 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Apex.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.43 mi
Kilometers
193.82 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.44 mi
Kilometers
230.85 km
Drive Time
03h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waxhaw
Tue, Apr 14, 6:03 PM EDT
Return by in Apex
Tue, Apr 14, 9:14 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apex
2026-04-14T14:53
Arrive Waxhaw
Tue, Apr 14, 6:03 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:40 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Apex
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Hoffman
NC

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

From Apex
71.6 mi
01h 35m
To Waxhaw
71.8 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    43.4 mi · 53 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto East Green Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Green Street

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Avenue

    15.5 mi · 21 min · Broad Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on East Caswell Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East Caswell Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Salisbury Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street

  12. 12

    Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.5 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway

    6.3 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on East Marshville Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 5 min · East Marshville Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway

    2247 ft · 35 sec · Carroll M. Edwards Highway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on US 74 West: Wingate, Monroe

    6.7 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Franklin Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Franklin Street

  19. 19

    Continue on East Jefferson Street

    2321 ft · 57 sec · East Jefferson Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Charlotte Avenue

    80 m · 9 sec · North Charlotte Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Franklin Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Franklin Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Waxhaw Highway

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Highway

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Waxhaw Highway

    21 m · 1 sec · Waxhaw Highway

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Highway

    6.6 mi · 10 min · Waxhaw Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on East South Main Street

    2495 ft · 42 sec · East South Main Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jefferson Davis Highway
67 mi · 47%
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
15.7 mi · 11%
Broad Avenue
15.5 mi · 11%
W. Cliff Martin Highway
12.8 mi · 9%
Waxhaw Highway
10.3 mi · 7%
US 74 West
6.75 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.1 mi
120.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hoffman
01h 35m from Apex
Leave By
10:40 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Apex and Sunny near Waxhaw.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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 71.6 miles from Apex and 71.8 miles from Waxhaw.

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

The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 10:40 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.04 one way or $40.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apex and Sunny near Waxhaw.

Stop Ideas Near Hoffman

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

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

RAIL

Southern Pines

21 mi away
235 Northwest Broad Street
RAIL

Hamlet

22 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.
RAIL

Fayetteville

60 mi away
472 Hay Street
RAIL

Dillon

70 mi away
100 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Waxhaw. Straight-line distance: 120.43 mi (193.82 km).

Apex

#1 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

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

#2 Waxhaw

Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA

Population17,987
Coordinates34.9245900, -80.7434000
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Apex (-78.85029, 35.73265)
End: Waxhaw (-80.7434, 34.92459)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.06 gal
19.16 L · about $20.04
Round trip
$40.09
10.12 gal · 38.32 L
Estimated CO2
45 kg one way
Round trip: 89.9 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $20.04 $40.09
Mid-grade $4.43 $22.41 $44.82
Premium $4.78 $24.18 $48.35
Diesel $5.62 $28.46 $56.91

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Apex and Waxhaw. The current time is 14:53:41.

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.