How far is Nags Head, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Nags Head, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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 03h 09m.
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 of America
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 Nags Head and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nags Head and Raleigh.
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1
Start on South Virginia Dare Trail
24 m · 4 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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2
Turn right onto East Soundside Road
144 m · 25 sec · East Soundside Road
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3
Turn left onto South Croatan Highway
3.8 mi · 6 min · South Croatan Highway
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4
Continue on South Virginia Dare Trail
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Virginia Dare Trail
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5
Continue on Washington Baum Bridge
20.7 mi · 28 min · Washington Baum Bridge
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6
Keep slight left
67.3 mi · 1 hr 27 min
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7
Turn left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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9
Continue straight
38.9 mi · 42 min
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10
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2232 ft · 29 sec · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Rock Quarry Rd North
1718 ft · 37 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
2190 ft · 49 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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14
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
1488 ft · 41 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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15
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
987 ft · 41 sec · South Wilmington Street
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17
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nags Head 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.
Washington Baum Bridge
Keep slight left
67.3 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Sunny leaving Nags Head and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nags Head to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 196.5 miles (316.3 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Everetts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.9 miles from Nags Head and 98.7 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.49 one way or $54.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nags Head and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Everetts
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Town Hall
Williamston Town Hall
Williamston Water Collection
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Everetts.
Greenville, NC
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nags Head and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 169.27 mi (272.42 km).
#1 Nags Head
City in Dare County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,997 |
| Coordinates | 35.9573900, -75.6240600 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.49 | $54.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.74 | $61.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.16 | $66.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.03 | $78.06 |
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.