How far is Knightdale, NC from Wake Forest, NC?
The driving distance from Knightdale, NC to Wake Forest, NC is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m 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 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Knightdale and Wake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knightdale and Wake Forest.
-
1
Start on Railroad Street
135 m · 21 sec · Railroad Street
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2
Turn right onto South Smithfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South Smithfield Road
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3
Turn left onto Knightdale Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Knightdale Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 540 West
1865 ft · 45 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 1, Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, Wake Forest
2272 ft · 59 sec
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7
Turn right onto Capital Boulevard
2.9 mi · 4 min · Capital Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
4.5 mi · 6 min · Capital Boulevard
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9
Take the exit slight right
1563 ft · 42 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Durham Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
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11
Continue on South Avenue
801 ft · 29 sec · South Avenue
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East South Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · East South Avenue
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13
Exit the roundabout onto East South Avenue
116 m · 13 sec · East South Avenue
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14
Continue on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knightdale and Wake Forest.
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.
Northern Wake Expressway
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
6.65 mi · 00h 07m
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 Knightdale and Sunny near Wake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knightdale to Wake Forest?
The road trip is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?
Rolesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.6 miles from Knightdale and 8.6 miles from Wake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.40 one way or $4.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knightdale and Sunny near Wake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Rolesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rolesville.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knightdale and Wake Forest. Straight-line distance: 13.38 mi (21.53 km).
#1 Knightdale
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 18,122 |
| Coordinates | 35.7876500, -78.4805600 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-78.509875, 35.979919)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $2.40 | $4.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $2.71 | $5.41 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $2.96 | $5.92 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $3.66 | $7.32 |
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