How far is Waxhaw, NC from Apex, NC?
The driving distance from Waxhaw, NC to Apex, NC is about 144 miles (231.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 44m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waxhaw and Apex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waxhaw and Apex.
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1
Start on East South Main Street
2495 ft · 42 sec · East South Main Street
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2
Continue on Waxhaw Highway
6.6 mi · 10 min · Waxhaw Highway
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waxhaw Highway
61 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Highway
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Highway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Highway
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5
Continue on West Franklin Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West Franklin Street
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6
Turn right onto East Roosevelt Boulevard
1.8 mi · 2 min · East Roosevelt Boulevard
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7
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
5.3 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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8
Continue on West Marshville Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Marshville Boulevard
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9
Continue on Carroll M. Edwards Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Carroll M. Edwards Highway
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10
Continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.1 mi · 8 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on W. Cliff Martin Highway
6.7 mi · 9 min · W. Cliff Martin Highway
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12
Continue on Salisbury Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Salisbury Street
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13
Continue on West Caswell Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · West Caswell Street
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14
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
10.2 mi · 13 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 73 North, I 74 West, US 74 Business East: Rockingham, Asheboro
5.3 mi · 8 min
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16
Turn left onto West Green Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West Green Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 53 min · Fayetteville Road
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18
Take the exit slight right
3251 ft · 43 sec
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19
Merge slight left
38.8 mi · 44 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina
924 ft · 25 sec
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21
Turn left onto East Williams Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East Williams Street
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22
Turn right onto South Hughes Street
2216 ft · 1 min · South Hughes Street
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23
Turn left onto Center Street
707 ft · 29 sec · Center Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Salem Street
16 m · 2 sec · North Salem Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waxhaw and Apex.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Fayetteville Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Fayetteville Road
43.4 mi · 00h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Waxhaw and Sunny near Apex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waxhaw to Apex?
The road trip is about 144 miles (231.8 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Hoffman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.7 miles from Waxhaw and 72.3 miles from Apex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.12 one way or $40.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waxhaw and Sunny near Apex.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman
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 Hoffman.
Southern Pines
Hamlet
Fayetteville
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waxhaw and Apex. Straight-line distance: 120.43 mi (193.82 km).
#1 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.12 | $40.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.27 | $48.54 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.57 | $57.14 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.