How far is Lake Norman of Catawba, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Lake Norman of Catawba, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 161 miles (259.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.9 miles (210.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m 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 02h 52m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Norman of Catawba and Raleigh.
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1
Start on Riverwood Road
962 ft · 44 sec · Riverwood Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Kiser Island Road
2705 ft · 2 min · Kiser Island Road
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3
Turn right onto East NC 150 Highway
6.5 mi · 10 min · East NC 150 Highway
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4
Continue on West Plaza Drive
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Plaza Drive
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5
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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6
Continue on Oakridge Farm Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Oakridge Farm Highway
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7
Continue on Mooresville Road
15.6 mi · 22 min · Mooresville Road
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8
Turn right onto Jake Alexander Boulevard West
2 mi · 3 min · Jake Alexander Boulevard West
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9
Turn left
1434 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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17
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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18
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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19
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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20
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 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 Lake Norman of Catawba 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 29
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Norman of Catawba to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 161 miles (259.1 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.1 miles from Lake Norman of Catawba and 81.9 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.9 miles (210.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.1 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 12:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Norman of Catawba and Mostly Cloudy near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Norman of Catawba and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 130.89 mi (210.64 km).
#1 Lake Norman of Catawba
Township in Catawba County, North Carolina
| Population | 5,075 |
| Coordinates | 35.5868000, -80.9595200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| 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: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.16 | $50.31 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.14 | $54.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.94 | $63.89 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.