How far is West Raleigh, NC from Hillsborough, NC?
The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Hillsborough, NC is about 36 miles (58 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
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 Hillsborough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Hillsborough.
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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.
27.4 mi · 32 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Hillsborough
1956 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Old NC 86
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old NC 86
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15
Continue on South Churton Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · South Churton Street
-
16
Turn left onto West King Street
29 m · 4 sec · West King Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Hillsborough.
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.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
27.4 mi · 00h 32m
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 Hillsborough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Hillsborough?
The road trip is about 36 miles (58 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from West Raleigh and 18 miles from Hillsborough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.77 one way or $9.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 31.5 mi (50.69 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 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsborough (-79.09973, 36.07542)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.75 | $4.77 | $9.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $5.37 | $10.74 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $5.87 | $11.75 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $7.26 | $14.53 |
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