How far is West Raleigh, NC from Drexel, NC?
The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Drexel, NC is about 188 miles (302.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.8 miles (265.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
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.
City in 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 West Raleigh and Drexel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Drexel.
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1
Start on Enterprise Street
13 m · 7 sec · Enterprise Street
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2
Turn right onto Hillsborough Street
2767 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
33 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
789 ft · 20 sec · Hillsborough Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
27 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
926 ft · 23 sec · Hillsborough Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street
30 m · 3 sec · Hillsborough Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street
1893 ft · 49 sec · Hillsborough Street
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9
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2814 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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10
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
2281 ft · 51 sec · Wade Avenue
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11
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue
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12
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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13
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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14
Keep slight right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
95.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Valdese
579 ft · 15 sec
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17
Turn left onto Abees Grove Church Road
1157 ft · 35 sec · Abees Grove Church Road
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18
Turn sharp left onto Carolina Street Southeast
117 m · 12 sec · Carolina Street Southeast
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19
Turn right onto Flat Gap Road
2398 ft · 59 sec · Flat Gap Road
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20
Turn right onto Jacumin Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Jacumin Road
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21
Continue on Messer Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Messer Road
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22
Turn left
2284 ft · 44 sec
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23
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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24
Turn right onto Mimosa Avenue
17 m · 3 sec · Mimosa Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mimosa Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Drexel.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
95.5 mi · 01h 49m
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.
Sunny leaving West Raleigh and Sunny near Drexel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Drexel?
The road trip is about 188 miles (302.6 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Kernersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.9 miles from West Raleigh and 94.1 miles from Drexel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.8 miles (265.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.30 one way or $52.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Sunny near Drexel.
Stop Ideas Near Kernersville
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 Kernersville.
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Drexel. Straight-line distance: 164.84 mi (265.28 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 Drexel
Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,861 |
| Coordinates | 35.7579100, -81.6042600 |
| Altitude | 364 |
| Country | United States |
End: Drexel (-81.60426, 35.75791)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.34 | $74.69 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.