How far is Hays, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Hays, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.3 miles (229 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02h 37m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hays and Raleigh.
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1
Start on Traphill Road
9 m · 1 sec · Traphill Road
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2
Continue on Rock Creek Road
5.1 mi · 8 min · Rock Creek Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Elkin Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Elkin Highway
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4
Turn right onto State Road 2327
1995 ft · 31 sec · State Road 2327
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5
Continue on Roaring River Road
1894 ft · 29 sec · Roaring River Road
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6
Continue on Red White & Blue Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Red White & Blue Road
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7
Take the ramp left
1914 ft · 47 sec
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8
Merge slight left
38.1 mi · 44 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Greensboro
1.6 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
23.1 mi · 27 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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12
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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17
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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18
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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19
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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20
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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21
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and Raleigh.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Red White & Blue Road
Merge slight left
38.1 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Hays and 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 Hays to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Hays and 80.4 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.3 miles (229 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 1:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.38 one way or $44.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Hays and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hays and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 142.32 mi (229.04 km).
#1 Hays
Township in Wilkes County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,851 |
| Coordinates | 36.2498500, -81.1156400 |
| Altitude | 414 |
| 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: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.38 | $44.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.02 | $50.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.78 | $63.55 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.