How far is Elizabeth City, NC from Apex, NC?

The driving distance from Elizabeth City, NC to Apex, NC is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.4 miles (242 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 41m 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
178.13 mi
02h 50m
Flight
150.36 mi
241.98 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elizabeth City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.36 mi
Kilometers
241.98 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.13 mi
Kilometers
286.68 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 02h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apex
Sun, Apr 19, 8:06 AM EDT
Return by in Elizabeth City
Sun, Apr 19, 10:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elizabeth City
2026-04-19T05:16
Arrive Apex
Sun, Apr 19, 8:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elizabeth City
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
Princeville
NC

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Elizabeth City
89 mi
01h 25m
To Apex
89.2 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City and Apex.

  1. 1

    Start on Providence Road

    783 ft · 36 sec · Providence Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard

    63.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South Hughes Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    38.9 mi · 42 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    1.2 km · 51 sec · Dan K Moore Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 440 East, US 1, US 64 West: Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford, Asheboro

    1306 ft · 28 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro

    1910 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on US 1 South, US 64 West: Cary, Asheboro

    1574 ft · 38 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 South, US 64 West: Sanford, Asheboro

    1912 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro

    2072 ft · 27 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1 South, US 64 West: Apex, Sanford, Asheboro

    615 ft · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway

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

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Ten Ten Road

    781 ft · 25 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Center Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · Center Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Salem Street

    16 m · 2 sec · North Salem Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Hughes Boulevard
162 mi · 91%
Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
4.93 mi · 3%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4.26 mi · 2%
Dan K Moore Freeway
3.44 mi · 2%
US 1 South
1.53 mi · 1%
Center Street
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Hughes Boulevard

Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard

63.9 mi · 01h 22m

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
02h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.7 mi
150.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Princeville
01h 25m from Elizabeth City
Leave By
12:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elizabeth City and Chance Rain Showers near Apex.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth City to Apex?

The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?

Princeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Elizabeth City and 89.2 miles from Apex.

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

The direct path is about 150.4 miles (242 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 12:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.88 one way or $49.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elizabeth City and Chance Rain Showers near Apex.

Stop Ideas Near Princeville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Princeville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.6 mi away

Historic Town Hall

Bethel , NC
141 W Railroad St, Bethel, NC 27812
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark
Town of Tarboro
Meeting point 3.4 mi away

Town of Tarboro

Tarboro , NC
500 N Main St, Tarboro, NC 27886
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Princeville.

RAIL

Rocky Mount

25 mi away
101 Hammond Street
BUS

Greenville, NC

34 mi away
Second and Reade Streets
RAIL

Wilson

39 mi away
401 East Nash Street
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

69 mi away
1615 East Beech Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth City and Apex. Straight-line distance: 150.36 mi (241.98 km).

Elizabeth City

#1 Elizabeth City

City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina

Population17,988
Coordinates36.2946000, -76.2510500
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Apex

#2 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population64,388
Coordinates35.7326500, -78.8502900
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Start: Providence Road (-76.250921, 36.294706)
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.28 gal
23.79 L · about $24.88
Round trip
$49.75
12.56 gal · 47.58 L
Estimated CO2
55.8 kg one way
Round trip: 111.6 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.88 $49.75
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.81 $55.63
Premium $4.78 $30.01 $60.01
Diesel $5.62 $35.32 $70.64

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Elizabeth City and Apex. The current time is 05:16:09.

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.