How far is Lowell, NC from West Raleigh, NC?

The driving distance from Lowell, NC to West Raleigh, NC is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m 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
177.57 mi
02h 49m
Flight
141.75 mi
228.12 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lowell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.75 mi
Kilometers
228.12 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.57 mi
Kilometers
285.77 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Raleigh
Thu, Apr 23, 1:51 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 4:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-04-22T23:02
Arrive West Raleigh
Thu, Apr 23, 1:51 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lowell
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
Archdale
NC

City in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

From Lowell
88 mi
01h 24m
To West Raleigh
89.6 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
57°F
Tonight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 8:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and West Raleigh.

  1. 1

    Start on West 1st Street

    685 ft · 21 sec · West 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    709 ft · 28 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto McAdenville Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · McAdenville Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 85 North: Charlotte

    1114 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    4 mi · 5 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

    59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point

    32.8 mi · 35 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh

    30.3 mi · 35 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Faircloth Street

    2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

    1903 ft · 47 sec · Hillsborough Street

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    22 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    933 ft · 24 sec · Hillsborough Street

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    803 ft · 21 sec · Hillsborough Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    23 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    2775 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Enterprise Street

    22 m · 2 sec · Enterprise Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 33%
US 29
42.7 mi · 24%
I 85 North
33 mi · 19%
I 40 East
30.3 mi · 17%
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
3.96 mi · 2%
Wade Avenue
3.86 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Cameron Morrison Bridge

Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

59.4 mi · 01h 09m

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
02h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.9 mi
141.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Archdale
01h 24m from Lowell
Leave By
12:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lowell and Partly Cloudy near West Raleigh.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lowell to West Raleigh?

The road trip is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Archdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88 miles from Lowell and 89.6 miles from West Raleigh.

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

The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 12:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.84 one way or $49.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowell and Partly Cloudy near West Raleigh.

Stop Ideas Near Archdale

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Archdale, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Archdale.

RAIL

High Point

6 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

21 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

Lexington

27 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

30 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and West Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 141.75 mi (228.12 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States

Population3,744
Coordinates35.2679200, -81.1028500
Altitude249
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 West Raleigh

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population338,759
Coordinates35.7868200, -78.6638900
Altitude122
CountryUnited States
Start: West 1st Street (-81.102767, 35.267986)
End: Enterprise Street (-78.664028, 35.786823)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.27 gal
23.72 L · about $24.84
Round trip
$49.67
12.54 gal · 47.44 L
Estimated CO2
55.7 kg one way
Round trip: 111.4 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.84 $49.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.77 $55.54
Premium $4.78 $29.96 $59.92
Diesel $5.62 $35.26 $70.52

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

There is no time difference between Lowell and West Raleigh. The current time is 23:02:01.

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.