How far is Nags Head, NC from West Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Nags Head, NC to West Raleigh, NC is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.6 miles (274.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nags Head and West Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nags Head and West 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
38.1 mi · 41 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I-440 West, To US 1, US 64 Business East: Wake Forest
2815 ft · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 53 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, New Bern Ave
1095 ft · 31 sec
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13
Turn straight onto New Bern Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · New Bern Avenue
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14
Continue on East Edenton Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Edenton Street
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15
Continue on Hillsborough Street
2681 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hillsborough Street
12 m · 1 sec · Hillsborough Street
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
2435 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
26 m · 3 sec · Hillsborough Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
153 m · 15 sec · Hillsborough Street
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20
Turn right onto Enterprise Street
13 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nags Head and West Raleigh.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Nags Head and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near West Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nags Head to West Raleigh?
The road trip is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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 98 miles from Nags Head and 100.8 miles from West Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.6 miles (274.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.81 one way or $55.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Nags Head and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near West 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 West Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 170.6 mi (274.55 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 West Raleigh
A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 338,759 |
| Coordinates | 35.7868200, -78.6638900 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
End: Enterprise Street (-78.664028, 35.786823)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.81 | $55.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.09 | $62.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.54 | $67.08 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.48 | $78.96 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.