How far is Raleigh, NC from Kinston, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Kinston, NC is about 80.8 miles (130.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.1 miles (111.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Johnston County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Raleigh and Kinston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Kinston.
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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
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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
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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8
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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10
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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12
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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13
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · West Vernon Avenue
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14
Turn right onto North Queen Street
1807 ft · 41 sec · North Queen Street
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15
Turn right onto West Blount Street
80 m · 17 sec · West Blount Street
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16
Turn left onto Walls Street
96 m · 19 sec · Walls Street
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17
Turn left
31 m · 8 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Kinston.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Goldsboro Bypass
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Kinston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Kinston?
The road trip is about 80.8 miles (130.1 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.4 miles from Raleigh and 40.5 miles from Kinston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.1 miles (111.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 3:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.29 one way or $22.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Kinston.
Stop Ideas Near Princeton
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 Princeton.
Selma–Smithfield
Goldsboro, NC
Wilson
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Kinston. Straight-line distance: 69.08 mi (111.18 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 Kinston
City in North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 19,849 |
| Coordinates | 35.2626600, -77.5816400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kinston (-77.58164, 35.26266)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.29 | $22.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.62 | $25.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.62 | $27.23 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $16.03 | $32.06 |
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.