How far is Bryson City, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Bryson City, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 313.5 miles (504.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 00m 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 05h 00m.
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 Catawba County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bryson City and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bryson City and Raleigh.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto Bryson Avenue
137 m · 25 sec · Bryson Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Slope Street
1582 ft · 57 sec · Slope Street
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4
Continue on Highway 19 South
113 m · 8 sec · Highway 19 South
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5
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Veterans Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp straight
876 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
39.5 mi · 50 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
184.2 mi · 3 hr 33 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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10
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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11
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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15
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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16
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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17
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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19
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bryson City and Raleigh.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Asheville
184 mi · 03h 33m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bryson City and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bryson City to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 313.5 miles (504.5 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?
Catawba is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from Bryson City and 158.7 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 7:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.81 one way or $87.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Bryson City and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Catawba
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 Catawba.
Kannapolis
Gastonia
Salisbury
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bryson City and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 271.26 mi (436.55 km).
#1 Bryson City
City in Swain County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,443 |
| Coordinates | 35.4312700, -83.4494400 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 505 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $43.81 | $87.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $48.98 | $97.97 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $52.84 | $105.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $62.20 | $124.40 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.