How far is Raleigh, NC from Clayton, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Clayton, NC is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Raleigh and Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Clayton.
-
1
Start on East South Street
154 m · 21 sec · East South Street
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2
Turn right onto South Blount Street
3167 ft · 1 min · South Blount Street
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3
Continue on Hammond Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Hammond Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
906 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Garner, Smithfield, Goldsboro
894 ft · 22 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 70 East: Smithfield
1.2 mi · 3 min
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9
Turn straight onto Goldsboro Highway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Goldsboro Highway
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10
Continue on Clayton Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Clayton Boulevard
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11
Turn slight right
819 ft · 30 sec
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12
Keep slight left
35 m · 9 sec
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13
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
75 m · 8 sec · Veterans Parkway
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14
Continue on South Lombard Street
2602 ft · 2 min · South Lombard Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lombard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Clayton.
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.
Goldsboro Highway
Turn straight onto Goldsboro Highway
5.25 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Clayton?
The road trip is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Garner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Raleigh and 8.1 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.26 one way or $4.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Clayton.
Stop Ideas Near Garner
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Town of Cary
Town Hall Commons
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Garner.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 13.22 mi (21.28 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-78.45639, 35.65071)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.26 | $4.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.52 | $5.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.72 | $5.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.21 | $6.41 |
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.