How far is Kenly, NC from Raleigh, NC?

The driving distance from Kenly, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.3 miles (50.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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
42.17 mi
00h 45m
Flight
31.32 mi
50.41 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kenly.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.32 mi
Kilometers
50.41 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.17 mi
Kilometers
67.87 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Raleigh
Sun, May 3, 5:41 AM EDT
Return by in Kenly
Sun, May 3, 6:27 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kenly
2026-05-03T04:55
Arrive Raleigh
Sun, May 3, 5:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kenly
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
Wilsons Mills
NC

Park in the United States of America

From Kenly
20.7 mi
00h 22m
To Raleigh
21.4 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
40°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenly and Raleigh.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    13 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Church Street

    3225 ft · 1 min · North Church Street

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right

    2101 ft · 51 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    10 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Selma, Pine Level, Goldsboro

    1970 ft · 51 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right

    9 mi · 12 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    8.6 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Rock Quarry Rd North

    1718 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road

    2190 ft · 49 sec · Rock Quarry Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road

    1488 ft · 41 sec · Rock Quarry Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Wilmington Street

    987 ft · 41 sec · South Wilmington Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East South Street

    7 m · 1 sec · East South Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East South Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
18.5 mi · 44%
North Church Street
11 mi · 26%
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.24 mi · 3%
Rock Quarry Road
0.7 mi · 2%
US 70
0.37 mi · 1%
Rock Quarry Rd North
0.33 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Church Street

Merge slight left

10 mi · 00h 12m

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
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
31.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wilsons Mills
00h 22m from Kenly
Leave By
4:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Kenly and Mostly Clear near Raleigh.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kenly to Raleigh?

The road trip is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?

Wilsons Mills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.7 miles from Kenly and 21.4 miles from Raleigh.

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

The direct path is about 31.3 miles (50.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 4:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.90 one way or $11.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Kenly and Mostly Clear near Raleigh.

Stop Ideas Near Wilsons Mills

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Wilsons Mills and the surrounding midpoint area.
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 13.8 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 4.5 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9 mi away

Selma Housing Authority

Selma , NC
711 E Lizzie St, Selma, NC 27576, United States
Rating 2.6/5 7 reviews Housing authority

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wilsons Mills.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

9 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

34 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

39 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

42 mi away
1615 East Beech Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kenly and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 31.32 mi (50.41 km).

Kenly

#1 Kenly

Town of the United States

Population1,624
Coordinates35.5962700, -78.1241600
Altitude59
CountryUnited States
Raleigh

#2 Raleigh

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

Population474,414
Coordinates35.7721000, -78.6386100
Altitude96
CountryUnited States
Start: (-78.124135, 35.596281)
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.49 gal
5.63 L · about $5.90
Round trip
$11.80
2.98 gal · 11.26 L
Estimated CO2
13.2 kg one way
Round trip: 26.5 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $5.90 $11.80
Mid-grade $4.43 $6.60 $13.20
Premium $4.78 $7.12 $14.24
Diesel $5.62 $8.38 $16.76

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Kenly and Raleigh. The current time is 04:55:37.

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.