How far is Kinston, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Kinston, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 80.3 miles (129.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.1 miles (111.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m 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 01h 23m.
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 Johnston County, North Carolina, United States
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 Kinston and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kinston and Raleigh.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 13 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Walls Street
51 m · 10 sec · Walls Street
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3
Turn right onto West North Street
75 m · 18 sec · West North Street
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4
Turn left onto North Herritage Street
1290 ft · 50 sec · North Herritage Street
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5
Turn right onto Old Pink Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Pink Hill Road
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6
Turn right onto West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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7
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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8
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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9
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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15
Merge slight left
8.6 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Rock Quarry Rd North
1718 ft · 37 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
2190 ft · 49 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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18
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
1488 ft · 41 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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19
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
987 ft · 41 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 Kinston 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.
Goldsboro Bypass
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 00h 22m
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 Kinston and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kinston to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 80.3 miles (129.3 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?
Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Kinston and 40.6 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.1 miles (111.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.21 one way or $22.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kinston and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Princeton
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 Princeton.
Selma–Smithfield
Goldsboro, NC
Wilson
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kinston and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 69.08 mi (111.18 km).
#1 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| 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: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.21 | $22.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.53 | $25.07 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.52 | $27.04 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.92 | $31.83 |
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.