How far is Hays, NC from West Raleigh, NC?

The driving distance from Hays, NC to West Raleigh, NC is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.7 miles (226.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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
157.13 mi
02h 34m
Flight
140.7 mi
226.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hays.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.7 mi
Kilometers
226.43 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.13 mi
Kilometers
252.88 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Raleigh
Sun, Apr 19, 10:08 AM EDT
Return by in Hays
Sun, Apr 19, 12:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hays
2026-04-19T07:33
Arrive West Raleigh
Sun, Apr 19, 10:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hays
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
Greensboro
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.

From Hays
78.4 mi
01h 17m
To West Raleigh
78.7 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph NW
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hays and West Raleigh.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hays and West Raleigh.

  1. 1

    Start on Traphill Road

    9 m · 1 sec · Traphill Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Rock Creek Road

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Rock Creek Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Elkin Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Elkin Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Road 2327

    1995 ft · 31 sec · State Road 2327

  5. 5

    Continue on Roaring River Road

    1894 ft · 29 sec · Roaring River Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Red White & Blue Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Red White & Blue Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1914 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    38.1 mi · 44 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Greensboro

    1.6 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    23.1 mi · 27 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Faircloth Street

    2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

    1903 ft · 47 sec · Hillsborough Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    22 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    933 ft · 24 sec · Hillsborough Street

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    803 ft · 21 sec · Hillsborough Street

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    2775 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Enterprise Street

    22 m · 2 sec · Enterprise Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hays and West Raleigh.

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
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
101 mi · 64%
Red White & Blue Road
41.9 mi · 27%
Rock Creek Road
5.07 mi · 3%
Wade Avenue
3.86 mi · 2%
Elkin Highway
2.98 mi · 2%
Hillsborough Street
1.26 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
140.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greensboro
01h 17m from Hays
Leave By
1:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Hays and Chance Rain Showers near West Raleigh.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hays to West Raleigh?

The road trip is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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 78.4 miles from Hays and 78.7 miles from West Raleigh.

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

The direct path is about 140.7 miles (226.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 1:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.94 one way or $43.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Hays and Chance Rain Showers near West Raleigh.

Stop Ideas Near Greensboro

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

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

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

4 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

23 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

32 mi away
101 North Main Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

39 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hays and West Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 140.7 mi (226.43 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Hays

Township in Wilkes County, North Carolina

Population1,851
Coordinates36.2498500, -81.1156400
Altitude414
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 West Raleigh

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population338,759
Coordinates35.7868200, -78.6638900
Altitude122
CountryUnited States
Start: Traphill Road (-81.11556, 36.249891)
End: Enterprise Street (-78.664028, 35.786823)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.54 gal
20.99 L · about $21.94
Round trip
$43.89
11.08 gal · 41.98 L
Estimated CO2
49.2 kg one way
Round trip: 98.5 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.94 $43.89
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.54 $49.07
Premium $4.78 $26.47 $52.94
Diesel $5.62 $31.16 $62.31

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 Hays and West Raleigh. The current time is 07:33:16.

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.