How far is Raleigh, NC from Carrboro, NC?

The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Carrboro, NC is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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
31.14 mi
00h 46m
Flight
26.25 mi
42.25 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
26.25 mi
Kilometers
42.25 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.14 mi
Kilometers
50.11 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 00h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carrboro
Fri, Apr 17, 8:39 PM EDT
Return by in Raleigh
Fri, Apr 17, 9:25 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raleigh
2026-04-17T19:52
Arrive Carrboro
Fri, Apr 17, 8:39 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:56 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
Morrisville
NC

Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States

From Raleigh
15.5 mi
00h 23m
To Carrboro
15.6 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W
Destination
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Carrboro.

  1. 1

    Start on East South Street

    571 ft · 27 sec · East South Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Salisbury Street

    955 ft · 33 sec · South Salisbury Street

  3. 3

    Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    2691 ft · 57 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on Western Boulevard

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Gorman Street

    3221 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Faircloth Street

    2814 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Wade Avenue

    2281 ft · 51 sec · Wade Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Wade Avenue

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

    15.5 mi · 18 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54 East: Durham

    1357 ft · 41 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Raleigh Road

    3 mi · 6 min · Raleigh Road

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 15, US 501: Carrboro, Pittsboro

    697 ft · 21 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on North Fordham Boulevard

    3 mi · 5 min · North Fordham Boulevard

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Merritt Mill Road

    601 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Merritt Mill Road

    774 ft · 21 sec · Merritt Mill Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Greensboro Street

    689 ft · 18 sec · South Greensboro Street

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Greensboro Street

    29 m · 2 sec · South Greensboro Street

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto South Greensboro Street

    2454 ft · 1 min · South Greensboro Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    865 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street

  20. 20

    Continue on West Main Street

    21 m · 2 sec · West Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
15.5 mi · 50%
Wade Avenue
3.71 mi · 12%
North Fordham Boulevard
3.02 mi · 10%
Raleigh Road
2.98 mi · 10%
Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 8%
South Greensboro Street
0.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dan K. Moore Frwy.

Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

15.5 mi · 00h 18m

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
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
26.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morrisville
00h 23m from Raleigh
Leave By
4:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Carrboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Carrboro?

The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Raleigh and 15.6 miles from Carrboro.

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

The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 4:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.36 one way or $8.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Carrboro.

Stop Ideas Near Morrisville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Morrisville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 6.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 4.7 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 7.7 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 12.4 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Cary

6 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

11 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

17 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

21 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Carrboro. Straight-line distance: 26.25 mi (42.25 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
Carrboro

#2 Carrboro

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population21,239
Coordinates35.9101400, -79.0752900
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
End: Carrboro (-79.07529, 35.91014)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.1 gal
4.16 L · about $4.36
Round trip
$8.71
2.2 gal · 8.32 L
Estimated CO2
9.8 kg one way
Round trip: 19.6 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $4.36 $8.71
Mid-grade $4.43 $4.87 $9.74
Premium $4.78 $5.26 $10.51
Diesel $5.62 $6.19 $12.37

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Raleigh and Carrboro. The current time is 19:52:57.

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.