How far is Hickory, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Hickory, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 177.2 miles (285.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.6 miles (243.9 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.
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 50m.
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 Guilford County, 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 Hickory and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory and Raleigh.
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1
Start on the route
47 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto Trade Alley
136 m · 35 sec · Trade Alley
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest
101 m · 15 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
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4
Keep slight left to continue on 2nd Street Southwest
51 m · 10 sec · 2nd Street Southwest
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5
Turn left onto Government Avenue Southwest
64 m · 9 sec · Government Avenue Southwest
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6
Continue on 1st Street Southwest
158 m · 20 sec · 1st Street Southwest
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7
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
2949 ft · 52 sec · 2nd Avenue Southwest
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8
Continue on Tate Boulevard Southeast
1075 ft · 22 sec · Tate Boulevard Southeast
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9
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 3 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
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10
Take the ramp slight right
1219 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left
86.2 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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13
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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18
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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19
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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20
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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22
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hickory and Raleigh.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
Merge slight left
86.2 mi · 01h 38m
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 Hickory and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hickory to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 177.2 miles (285.2 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.8 miles from Hickory and 90.5 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.6 miles (243.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 $24.76 one way or $49.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hickory and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
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 Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hickory and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 151.56 mi (243.91 km).
#1 Hickory
The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.
| Population | 41,473 |
| Coordinates | 35.7331900, -81.3412000 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| 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: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.76 | $49.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.15 | $70.30 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.