How far is West Raleigh, NC from Kenly, NC?

The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Kenly, NC is about 45 miles (72.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33 miles (53.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
44.99 mi
00h 57m
Flight
33.03 mi
53.15 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Raleigh.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.03 mi
Kilometers
53.15 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.99 mi
Kilometers
72.4 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kenly
Sun, May 3, 7:15 AM EDT
Return by in West Raleigh
Sun, May 3, 8:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Raleigh
2026-05-03T06:18
Arrive Kenly
Sun, May 3, 7:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Raleigh
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Clayton
NC

Town in North Carolina

From West Raleigh
22.5 mi
00h 28m
To Kenly
22.5 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW
Destination
41°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Raleigh and Kenly.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Kenly.

  1. 1

    Start on Enterprise Street

    13 m · 3 sec · Enterprise Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Hillsborough Street

    122 m · 13 sec · Hillsborough Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right

    32 m · 6 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Pullen Road

    673 ft · 23 sec · Pullen Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Pullen Road

    23 m · 3 sec · Pullen Road

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Pullen Road

    2296 ft · 1 min · Pullen Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Western Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Western Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn slight right

    872 ft · 25 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Dawson Street

    2237 ft · 45 sec · South Dawson Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South Saunders Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Saunders Street

  11. 11

    Take the exit left

    1758 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 10 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    1351 ft · 33 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 11 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 301: Kenly, Wilson

    1438 ft · 35 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Church Street

    2674 ft · 1 min · South Church Street

  21. 21

    Turn right

    13 m · 3 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Kenly.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
29.5 mi · 65%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
10.8 mi · 24%
Western Boulevard
1.35 mi · 3%
South Saunders Street
1.1 mi · 2%
Pullen Road
0.58 mi · 1%
South Church Street
0.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

10.2 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
33 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clayton
00h 28m from West Raleigh
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Raleigh and Mostly Clear near Kenly.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Kenly?

The road trip is about 45 miles (72.4 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Clayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.5 miles from West Raleigh and 22.5 miles from Kenly.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 33 miles (53.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.30 one way or $12.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Mostly Clear near Kenly.

Stop Ideas Near Clayton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Clayton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 11.9 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 3.3 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 11 mi away

Selma Housing Authority

Selma , NC
711 E Lizzie St, Selma, NC 27576, United States
Rating 2.6/5 7 reviews Housing authority

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clayton.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

21 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

22 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

28 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

33 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Kenly. Straight-line distance: 33.03 mi (53.15 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 West Raleigh

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population338,759
Coordinates35.7868200, -78.6638900
Altitude122
CountryUnited States
Kenly

#2 Kenly

Town of the United States

Population1,624
Coordinates35.5962700, -78.1241600
Altitude59
CountryUnited States
Start: West Raleigh (-78.66389, 35.78682)
End: Kenly (-78.12416, 35.59627)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.01 L · about $6.30
Round trip
$12.60
3.18 gal · 12.02 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $6.30 $12.60
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.04 $14.08
Premium $4.78 $7.60 $15.19
Diesel $5.62 $8.94 $17.88

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between West Raleigh and Kenly. The current time is 06:18:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.