How far is Hillsborough, NC from West Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Hillsborough, NC to West Raleigh, NC is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Durham metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hillsborough and West Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsborough and West Raleigh.
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1
Start on West King Street
29 m · 8 sec · West King Street
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2
Turn right onto South Churton Street
1868 ft · 1 min · South Churton Street
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3
Turn left
1.3 km · 2 min
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4
Turn right onto State Highway 86
1 km · 1 min · State Highway 86
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5
Take the ramp left
944 ft · 23 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
12.4 mi · 16 min · Durham Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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9
Merge slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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12
Turn left onto Hillsborough Street
1903 ft · 47 sec · Hillsborough Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
22 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
933 ft · 24 sec · Hillsborough Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
803 ft · 21 sec · Hillsborough Street
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
2775 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
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19
Turn left onto Enterprise Street
22 m · 2 sec · Enterprise Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hillsborough and West 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.
Durham Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
12.4 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Hillsborough and Sunny near West Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hillsborough to West Raleigh?
The road trip is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.9 miles from Hillsborough and 18.4 miles from West Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.81 one way or $9.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hillsborough and Sunny near West Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hillsborough and West Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 31.5 mi (50.69 km).
#1 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Raleigh
A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 338,759 |
| Coordinates | 35.7868200, -78.6638900 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
End: Enterprise Street (-78.664028, 35.786823)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $4.81 | $9.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $5.41 | $10.83 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $7.32 | $14.64 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026