How far is Shelby, NC from Apex, NC?
The driving distance from Shelby, NC to Apex, NC is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 11m.
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 North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shelby and Apex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby and Apex.
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1
Start on the route
32 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left onto Campbell Street
151 m · 27 sec · Campbell Street
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3
Turn left onto North Dekalb Street
1 mi · 3 min · North Dekalb Street
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4
Turn left onto East Dixon Boulevard
5.1 mi · 7 min · East Dixon Boulevard
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5
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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6
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
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7
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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10
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
15.3 mi · 19 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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11
Take the exit slight right toward University City Boulevard, Ikea Boulevard
1482 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ikea Boulevard
39 m · 3 sec
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13
Turn right onto University City Boulevard
5.7 mi · 9 min · University City Boulevard
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14
Continue on NC Highway 49
55.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min · NC Highway 49
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15
Continue straight
1230 ft · 39 sec
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16
Continue on West Dixie Drive
3.5 mi · 6 min · West Dixie Drive
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17
Continue on Richard K. Pugh Highway
7.1 mi · 10 min · Richard K. Pugh Highway
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18
Continue on Jordan Road
24.3 mi · 36 min · Jordan Road
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19
Keep slight left
21.8 mi · 28 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
1646 ft · 49 sec
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21
Turn right onto West Williams Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street
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22
Turn left onto Hunter Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Hunter Street
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23
Turn right onto North Salem Street
1179 ft · 40 sec · North Salem Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shelby and Apex.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
NC Highway 49
Continue on NC Highway 49
55.6 mi · 01h 17m
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 Clear leaving Shelby and Mostly Clear near Apex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shelby to Apex?
The road trip is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Richfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.7 miles from Shelby and 92 miles from Apex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154 miles (247.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.68 one way or $49.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Shelby and Mostly Clear near Apex.
Stop Ideas Near Richfield
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 Richfield.
Salisbury
Kannapolis
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shelby and Apex. Straight-line distance: 154.06 mi (247.93 km).
#1 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 20,145 |
| Coordinates | 35.2923500, -81.5356500 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.68 | $49.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.59 | $55.19 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.77 | $59.53 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.04 | $70.08 |
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.