How far is Lake Lure, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Lake Lure, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201.8 miles (324.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Lure and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lure and Raleigh.
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1
Start on Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
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2
Continue on Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 4 min · Memorial Highway
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3
Continue on Chimney Rock Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Chimney Rock Road
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4
Turn left onto McEntire Road
1.6 km · 1 min · McEntire Road
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5
Continue on McEntire Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · McEntire Road
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6
Continue on Freeman Town Road
1.1 km · 3 min · Freeman Town Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Cove Road
6.2 mi · 10 min · Cove Road
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8
Continue on Montford Cove Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · Montford Cove Road
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9
Continue on Sugar Hill Road
140 m · 8 sec · Sugar Hill Road
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10
Turn right onto Mud Cut Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Mud Cut Road
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11
Turn left onto US 221
3.9 mi · 5 min · US 221
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12
Take the exit right
1240 ft · 30 sec
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13
Merge slight left
126.6 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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15
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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20
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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21
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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22
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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24
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Lure and 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.
US 221
Merge slight left
127 mi · 02h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Lure and Mostly Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Lure to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 246.6 miles (396.8 km) and usually takes 04h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bermuda Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.9 miles from Lake Lure and 125.7 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201.8 miles (324.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.46 one way or $68.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Lure and Mostly Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Bermuda Run
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 Bermuda Run.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Lexington
Salisbury
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Lure and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 201.75 mi (324.68 km).
#1 Lake Lure
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 1,153 |
| Coordinates | 35.4279000, -82.2048300 |
| Altitude | 337 |
| 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: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.46 | $68.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.53 | $77.06 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.57 | $83.14 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.93 | $97.86 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.