How far is Raleigh, NC from Hickory, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Hickory, NC is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.6 miles (243.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Guilford County, 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 Hickory.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Hickory.
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1
Start on East South Street
571 ft · 27 sec · East South Street
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2
Turn left onto South Salisbury Street
955 ft · 33 sec · South Salisbury Street
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3
Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2691 ft · 57 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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4
Continue on Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Gorman Street
3221 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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6
Continue on Faircloth Street
2814 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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7
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
2281 ft · 51 sec · Wade Avenue
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8
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue
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9
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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10
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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11
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
80.8 mi · 1 hr 32 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Hickory, Lenoir-Rhyne College
2014 ft · 49 sec
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14
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
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15
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Southeast
1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue Southeast
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16
Turn right onto 3rd Street Southwest
106 m · 15 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
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17
Continue on 3rd Street Northwest
127 m · 21 sec · 3rd Street Northwest
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18
Turn right onto Trade Alley
103 m · 30 sec · Trade Alley
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19
Turn left
47 m · 11 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Hickory.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
80.8 mi · 01h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Hickory.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Hickory?
The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
Jamestown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Raleigh and 86.9 miles from Hickory.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.6 miles (243.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.28 one way or $48.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Hickory.
Stop Ideas Near Jamestown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jamestown.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Hickory. Straight-line distance: 151.56 mi (243.91 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 Hickory
The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.
| Population | 41,473 |
| Coordinates | 35.7331900, -81.3412000 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hickory (-81.3412, 35.73319)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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.