How far is Raleigh, NC from Elon, NC?

The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Elon, NC is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m 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
61.73 mi
01h 18m
Flight
53.67 mi
86.38 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
53.67 mi
Kilometers
86.38 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
61.73 mi
Kilometers
99.34 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 01h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elon
Thu, Apr 23, 3:31 AM EDT
Return by in Raleigh
Thu, Apr 23, 4:49 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raleigh
2026-04-23T02:12
Arrive Elon
Thu, Apr 23, 3:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:52 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
Carrboro
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Raleigh
30.8 mi
00h 39m
To Elon
30.9 mi
00h 39m

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
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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.

    44.9 mi · 52 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill

    1360 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Harden Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Harden Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Harden Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · East Harden Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit straight

    5 mi · 7 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Haggard Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · East Haggard Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Haggard Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
44.9 mi · 73%
East Harden Street
6.6 mi · 11%
Wade Avenue
3.71 mi · 6%
Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 4%
East Haggard Avenue
1.85 mi · 3%
Gorman Street
0.61 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dan K. Moore Frwy.

Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

44.9 mi · 00h 52m

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
01h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
53.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carrboro
00h 39m from Raleigh
Leave By
3:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Elon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.8 miles from Raleigh and 30.9 miles from Elon.

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

The direct path is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.63 one way or $17.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Carrboro

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 Carrboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 7.6 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
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.3 mi away

Durham County Inspections Department

Durham , NC
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 3.5/5 15 reviews City government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 6.2 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill
Pompieri Pizza
Food stop 9.3 mi away

Pompieri Pizza

Durham , NC
102 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 4.5/5 916 reviews Pizza restaurant,Bar,Family restaurant,Neapolitan restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Durham

18 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

Cary

30 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

36 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Burlington

38 mi away
101 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Elon. Straight-line distance: 53.67 mi (86.38 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
Elon

#2 Elon

Town in North Carolina

Population12,186
Coordinates36.1029100, -79.5066900
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
End: Elon (-79.50669, 36.10291)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 99 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.18 gal
8.25 L · about $8.63
Round trip
$17.27
4.36 gal · 16.5 L
Estimated CO2
19.4 kg one way
Round trip: 38.7 kg / 85 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $8.63 $17.27
Mid-grade $4.43 $9.66 $19.31
Premium $4.78 $10.42 $20.83
Diesel $5.62 $12.26 $24.52

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 Elon. The current time is 02:12:23.

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.