How far is Raleigh, NC from Nashville, NC?

The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Nashville, NC is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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
46.34 mi
00h 53m
Flight
40.2 mi
64.69 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
40.2 mi
Kilometers
64.69 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.34 mi
Kilometers
74.57 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nashville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:56 PM EDT
Return by in Raleigh
Sun, Apr 19, 12:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raleigh
2026-04-18T23:03
Arrive Nashville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:56 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:44 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
Zebulon
NC

City in Pike County, Georgia, United States

From Raleigh
23.1 mi
00h 26m
To Nashville
23.2 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East South Street

    154 m · 21 sec · East South Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Blount Street

    3167 ft · 1 min · South Blount Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Hammond Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Hammond Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    906 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 440 East, US 64 East: Rocky Mount

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

    17.2 mi · 19 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    21.8 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 58: Nashville, Castalia

    1080 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    3165 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Alston Street

    12 m · 2 sec · North Alston Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Alston Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
41.8 mi · 90%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.15 mi · 5%
Hammond Road
0.89 mi · 2%
South Blount Street
0.6 mi · 1%
NC 58
0.2 mi
East South Street
0.1 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left

21.8 mi · 00h 23m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.2 mi
40.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Zebulon
00h 26m from Raleigh
Leave By
4:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Raleigh and Sunny near Nashville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Zebulon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from Raleigh and 23.2 miles from Nashville.

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

The direct path is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.50 one way or $12.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Nashville.

Stop Ideas Near Zebulon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Zebulon, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

30 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

33 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

35 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Wilson

38 mi away
401 East Nash Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 40.2 mi (64.69 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
Nashville

#2 Nashville

City in North Carolina, United States

Population5,572
Coordinates35.9746000, -77.9655400
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Start: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
End: Nashville (-77.96554, 35.9746)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.64 gal
6.19 L · about $6.50
Round trip
$12.99
3.28 gal · 12.38 L
Estimated CO2
14.6 kg one way
Round trip: 29.1 kg / 64 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $6.50 $12.99
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.26 $14.53
Premium $4.78 $7.84 $15.67
Diesel $5.62 $9.22 $18.45

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Raleigh and Nashville. The current time is 23:03:20.

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.