How far is West Raleigh, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.6 miles (207 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Raleigh and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Carolina Beach.
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1
Start on Enterprise Street
13 m · 3 sec · Enterprise Street
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2
Turn left onto Hillsborough Street
122 m · 13 sec · Hillsborough Street
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3
Turn slight right
32 m · 6 sec
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4
Turn right onto Pullen Road
673 ft · 23 sec · Pullen Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Pullen Road
23 m · 3 sec · Pullen Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Pullen Road
2296 ft · 1 min · Pullen Road
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7
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard
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8
Turn slight right
872 ft · 25 sec
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9
Turn straight onto South Dawson Street
2237 ft · 45 sec · South Dawson Street
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10
Continue on South Saunders Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Saunders Street
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11
Take the exit left
1758 ft · 38 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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14
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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17
Continue on North College Road
9.4 mi · 16 min · North College Road
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18
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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19
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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20
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Carolina Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
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 West Raleigh and Sunny near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Warsaw is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from West Raleigh and 71.1 miles from Carolina Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.6 miles (207 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.88 one way or $37.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Sunny near Carolina Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Warsaw
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 Warsaw.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 128.65 mi (207.05 km).
#1 West Raleigh
A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 338,759 |
| Coordinates | 35.7868200, -78.6638900 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 229 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $18.88 | $37.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $21.28 | $42.55 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $23.26 | $46.53 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $28.77 | $57.53 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026