How far is Raleigh, NC from Bryson City, NC?

The estimated driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Bryson City, NC is about 320.1 miles (515.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
320.09 mi
05h 36m · estimated
Flight
271.26 mi
436.55 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Raleigh.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
271.26 mi
Kilometers
436.55 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
320.09 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
515.13 km
Drive Time
05h 36m

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 05h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bryson City
Sat, Apr 11, 4:10 AM EDT
Return by in Raleigh
Sat, Apr 11, 9:46 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raleigh
2026-04-10T22:33
Arrive Bryson City
Sat, Apr 11, 4:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:37 AM to 1:37 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Raleigh
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Sherrills Ford
NC

Unincorporated community in Catawba County, North Carolina

From Raleigh
135.6 mi
02h 48m
To Bryson City
184.5 mi
02h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph E
Destination
78°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph S

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Bryson City.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.8 mi
271.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sherrills Ford
02h 48m from Raleigh
Leave By
5:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Bryson City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Bryson City?

The road trip is about 320.1 miles (515.1 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?

Sherrills Ford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.6 miles from Raleigh and 184.5 miles from Bryson City.

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

The direct path is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 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 5:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.76 one way or $89.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Bryson City.

Stop Ideas Near Sherrills Ford

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sherrills Ford, 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 Sherrills Ford.

RAIL

Kannapolis

36 mi away
201 South Main St.
RAIL

Gastonia

42 mi away
350 Hancock Street
RAIL

Charlotte

45 mi away
1914 North Tryon St.
RAIL

Salisbury

48 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Bryson City. Straight-line distance: 271.26 mi (436.55 km).

Raleigh

#1 Raleigh

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

Population474,414
Coordinates35.7721000, -78.6386100
Altitude96
CountryUnited States
Bryson City

#2 Bryson City

City in Swain County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,443
Coordinates35.4312700, -83.4494400
Altitude528
CountryUnited States
Start: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
End: Bryson City (-83.44944, 35.43127)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 515 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.3 gal
42.76 L · about $44.76
Round trip
$89.52
22.6 gal · 85.52 L
Estimated CO2
100.4 kg one way
Round trip: 200.8 kg / 443 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $44.76 $89.52
Mid-grade $4.43 $50.05 $100.10
Premium $4.78 $53.99 $107.98
Diesel $5.62 $63.55 $127.10

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Raleigh and Bryson City. The current time is 22:33:21.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.