How far is Southport, NC from West Raleigh, NC?

The driving distance from Southport, NC to West Raleigh, NC is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134 miles (215.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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
162.31 mi
02h 36m
Flight
133.94 mi
215.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Southport.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
133.94 mi
Kilometers
215.56 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.31 mi
Kilometers
261.22 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Raleigh
Sat, Apr 18, 6:07 AM EDT
Return by in Southport
Sat, Apr 18, 8:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Southport
2026-04-18T03:31
Arrive West Raleigh
Sat, Apr 18, 6:07 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Southport
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
Magnolia
NC

Town in Duplin County, North Carolina, United States

From Southport
81.3 mi
01h 18m
To West Raleigh
81 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph SW
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southport and West Raleigh.

  1. 1

    Start on North Howe Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Howe Street

  2. 2

    Turn straight

    116 m · 14 sec

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto River Road Southeast

    3.3 mi · 5 min · River Road Southeast

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto George II Highway

    11.7 mi · 16 min · George II Highway

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Ocean Highway East

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Ocean Highway East

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern

    19.7 mi · 22 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

    1527 ft · 37 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh

    1.4 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway

    103.3 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Michael Jordan Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    14.7 mi · 16 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 50 North, US 401 North, US 70 West: Raleigh Downtown

    1349 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto South Saunders Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Saunders Street

  13. 13

    Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Western Boulevard

    1458 ft · 44 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    1268 ft · 26 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on Western Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn slight right onto Pullen Road

    131 m · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Pullen Road

    1917 ft · 1 min · Pullen Road

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Pullen Road

    19 m · 2 sec · Pullen Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Pullen Road

    717 ft · 26 sec · Pullen Road

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Hillsborough Street

    62 m · 7 sec · Hillsborough Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    153 m · 15 sec · Hillsborough Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Enterprise Street

    13 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Enterprise Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Michael Jordan Highway
118 mi · 73%
I 140
19.7 mi · 12%
George II Highway
11.7 mi · 7%
Ocean Highway East
3.51 mi · 2%
River Road Southeast
3.32 mi · 2%
Western Boulevard
1.25 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Michael Jordan Highway

Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway

103 mi · 01h 51m

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
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.3 mi
134 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Magnolia
01h 18m from Southport
Leave By
1:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Southport and Mostly Sunny near West Raleigh.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Southport to West Raleigh?

The road trip is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Magnolia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Southport and 81 miles from West Raleigh.

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

The direct path is about 134 miles (215.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 1:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Magnolia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Magnolia, 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 Magnolia.

BUS

Goldsboro, NC

55 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
BUS

Kinston, NC

58 mi away
101 East New Bern Road
BUS

Jacksonville, NC

60 mi away
850 New Bridge Street
BUS

Wilmington, NC

74 mi away
505 Cando St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Southport and West Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 133.94 mi (215.56 km).

Southport

#1 Southport

City in North Carolina, United States

Population4,088
Coordinates33.9215600, -78.0202700
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 West Raleigh

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population338,759
Coordinates35.7868200, -78.6638900
Altitude122
CountryUnited States
Start: North Howe Street (-78.020225, 33.921569)
End: Enterprise Street (-78.664028, 35.786823)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.73 gal
21.68 L · about $22.70
Round trip
$45.39
11.46 gal · 43.36 L
Estimated CO2
50.9 kg one way
Round trip: 101.8 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.70 $45.39
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.38 $50.76
Premium $4.78 $27.38 $54.76
Diesel $5.62 $32.23 $64.45

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Southport and West Raleigh. The current time is 03:31:08.

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.