How far is Wake Forest, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Wake Forest, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 18 miles (29 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.1 miles (25.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wake Forest and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wake Forest and Raleigh.
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1
Start on Front Street
526 ft · 20 sec · Front Street
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2
Continue on East South Avenue
119 m · 14 sec · East South Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · South Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue
812 ft · 30 sec · South Avenue
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5
Continue on Durham Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1087 ft · 27 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Capital Boulevard
4.4 mi · 6 min · Capital Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
8.1 mi · 13 min · Capital Boulevard
-
9
Continue on Capital Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Capital Boulevard
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Old Louisburg Road
1145 ft · 42 sec · Old Louisburg Road
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11
Turn left onto Wake Forest Road
1 mi · 2 min · Wake Forest Road
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12
Continue on North Blount Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · North Blount Street
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13
Turn right onto East South Street
154 m · 19 sec · East South Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wake Forest and Raleigh.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Capital Boulevard
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Boulevard
8.11 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Wake Forest and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wake Forest to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 18 miles (29 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rolesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.2 miles from Wake Forest and 8.8 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.1 miles (25.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.54 one way or $5.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wake Forest and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Rolesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Town of Cary
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rolesville.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wake Forest and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 16.07 mi (25.86 km).
#1 Wake Forest
Town located in the U.
| Population | 47,314 |
| Coordinates | 35.9798700, -78.5097200 |
| Altitude | 119 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.54 | $5.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.83 | $5.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $3.06 | $6.12 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.