How far is Elon, NC from Apex, NC?
Fastest route
Here are some tips and directions for your journey from Elon, North Carolina, to Apex, North Carolina. The distance is approximately 60.9 miles (97.9 kilometers), and the estimated travel time is around 58 minutes.
Directions
- Head west on E Trollinger Ave toward S Williamson Ave.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto S Williamson Ave.
- Continue onto St Marks Church Rd and pass by Chick-fil-A on the right in 1.2 mi.
- Turn right onto Huffman Mill Rd.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto the ramp to Durham.
- Follow I-40 E and NC-540 W to US-64 E in Wake County. Take exit 59 B-A from NC-540 W.
- Keep left to continue toward US-64 E. Merge onto US-64 E via the ramp to Apex.
- Follow US-64 E to N Salem St in Apex and turn right onto N Salem St.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Check traffic conditions before starting your journey.
- 🛣️ Take the I-40 E route for the fastest travel time.
- 💰 Be prepared for tolls along the way.
- ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip.
- 🍽️ Consider grabbing a quick bite to eat before hitting the road.
- 📱 Bring a GPS device or have your phone's navigation app ready for easy navigation.
- 🕑 Allow some extra time for unexpected delays or breaks during the trip.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elon and Apex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elon and Apex.
-
1
Start on West Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Haggard Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
4.7 mi · 6 min · West Webb Avenue
-
3
Continue on West Elm Street
1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street
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4
Turn left onto West Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street
-
7
Turn left
1207 ft · 31 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
20.8 mi · 24 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 885 Toll South: Triangle Expressway, Sanford
2083 ft · 51 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
1.1 km · 2 min
-
13
Continue on Triangle Expressway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Triangle Expressway
-
14
Take the exit slight right
894 ft · 22 sec
-
15
Keep slight left
2055 ft · 50 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 East: Apex
1240 ft · 30 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
1646 ft · 49 sec
-
19
Turn right onto West Williams Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street
-
20
Turn left onto Hunter Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Hunter Street
-
21
Turn right onto North Salem Street
1179 ft · 40 sec · North Salem Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elon and Apex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
20.8 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Elon and Mostly Sunny near Apex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elon to Apex?
The road trip is about 62 miles (99.8 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Elon and 32.4 miles from Apex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.7 miles (72 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 4:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.67 one way or $17.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elon and Mostly Sunny near Apex.
Stop Ideas Near Carrboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elon and Apex. Straight-line distance: 44.76 mi (72.03 km).
#1 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.67 | $17.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $9.70 | $19.40 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $10.46 | $20.93 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $12.32 | $24.63 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.