How far is Rocky Mount, NC from Lexington, NC?
The driving distance from Rocky Mount, NC to Lexington, NC is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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 09m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rocky Mount and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount and Lexington.
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1
Start on Cokey Road
130 m · 19 sec · Cokey Road
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2
Turn sharp right onto Hill Street
1351 ft · 43 sec · Hill Street
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3
Turn right onto Arlington Street
53 m · 4 sec · Arlington Street
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Arlington Street
82 m · 7 sec · Arlington Street
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5
Continue on Atlantic Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right
945 ft · 23 sec
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7
Merge slight left
39.9 mi · 43 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road
1173 ft · 29 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road
94 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road
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11
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road
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12
Turn right onto Horton Road
2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road
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13
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road
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14
Take the ramp right
1943 ft · 24 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
2972 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
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18
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.5 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
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19
Continue on South Miami Boulevard
9.3 mi · 12 min · South Miami Boulevard
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20
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 49 min
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21
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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23
Keep slight right to continue on US 29 South
9.3 mi · 10 min
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24
Continue straight
13.6 mi · 16 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rocky Mount and Lexington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Miami Boulevard
Keep slight left
42.3 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rocky Mount and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rocky Mount to Lexington?
The road trip is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Rocky Mount and 79.5 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 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 10:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.18 one way or $44.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rocky Mount and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rocky Mount and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 138.09 mi (222.24 km).
#1 Rocky Mount
The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
| Population | 53,689 |
| Coordinates | 35.9382100, -77.7905300 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lexington
City in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 19,141 |
| Coordinates | 35.8240300, -80.2533800 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lexington (-80.25338, 35.82403)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.18 | $44.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.80 | $49.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.76 | $53.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.49 | $62.99 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.