How far is Raleigh, NC from Cape Carteret, NC?

The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Cape Carteret, NC is about 143.7 miles (231.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
143.65 mi
02h 55m
Flight
116.1 mi
186.85 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Raleigh.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
116.1 mi
Kilometers
186.85 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.65 mi
Kilometers
231.19 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Carteret
Thu, Apr 23, 3:02 AM EDT
Return by in Raleigh
Thu, Apr 23, 5:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raleigh
2026-04-23T00:06
Arrive Cape Carteret
Thu, Apr 23, 3:02 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Raleigh
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
La Grange
NC

Town in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States

From Raleigh
71.8 mi
01h 27m
To Cape Carteret
71.8 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination

Forecast data is not available for this endpoint yet.

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Raleigh and Cape Carteret.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Cape Carteret.

  1. 1

    Start on East South Street

    154 m · 21 sec · East South Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Blount Street

    3167 ft · 1 min · South Blount Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Hammond Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Hammond Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    906 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    14.3 mi · 19 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Goldsboro Bypass

    19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    11.5 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto West New Bern Road

    3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road

  14. 14

    Continue on East New Bern Road

    26.5 mi · 29 min · East New Bern Road

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    2601 ft · 49 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    16 mi · 18 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward US 17 Business South, NC 58 South: Maysville, Emerald Isle

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Eighth Street

    18.4 mi · 27 min · Eighth Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto WB McLean Drive

    2317 ft · 1 min · WB McLean Drive

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · WB McLean Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Cape Carteret.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East New Bern Road
43.1 mi · 30%
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
34.2 mi · 24%
Goldsboro Bypass
31.3 mi · 22%
Eighth Street
18.4 mi · 13%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.3 mi · 7%
West New Bern Road
3.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

East New Bern Road

Continue on East New Bern Road

26.5 mi · 00h 29m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.6 mi
116.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
La Grange
01h 27m from Raleigh
Leave By
12:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny near Raleigh.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Cape Carteret?

The road trip is about 143.7 miles (231.2 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Raleigh and 71.8 miles from Cape Carteret.

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

The direct path is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 12:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.08 one way or $40.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before leaving, the latest forecast around Raleigh is Sunny.

Stop Ideas Near La Grange

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around La Grange, 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 La Grange.

BUS

Goldsboro, NC

18 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
BUS

Kinston, NC

20 mi away
101 East New Bern Road
RAIL

Wilson

48 mi away
401 East Nash Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

51 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Cape Carteret. Straight-line distance: 116.1 mi (186.85 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
Cape Carteret

#2 Cape Carteret

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population2,061
Coordinates34.6915500, -77.0630000
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
End: Cape Carteret (-77.063, 34.69155)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.07 gal
19.19 L · about $20.08
Round trip
$40.16
10.14 gal · 38.38 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.1 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $20.08 $40.16
Mid-grade $4.43 $22.46 $44.91
Premium $4.78 $24.22 $48.45
Diesel $5.62 $28.51 $57.03

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 Raleigh and Cape Carteret. The current time is 00:06:19.

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.