How far is West Raleigh, NC from Lowell, NC?
The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Lowell, NC is about 176.2 miles (283.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m 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 24m.
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 Randolph County, North Carolina, United States
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 Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Lowell.
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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 left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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15
Keep slight left
95 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: Lowell, McAdenville
1081 ft · 31 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on NC 7: Lowell, McAdenville
94 m · 12 sec
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18
Turn right onto McAdenville Road
3275 ft · 1 min · McAdenville Road
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19
Turn left onto North Main Street
709 ft · 28 sec · North Main Street
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20
Turn right onto West 1st Street
685 ft · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Lowell.
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 85 Business South
Keep slight left
95 mi · 01h 47m
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 Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Lowell?
The road trip is about 176.2 miles (283.6 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?
Archdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88 miles from West Raleigh and 88.2 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.64 one way or $49.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Sunny near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Archdale
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 Archdale.
High Point
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 141.75 mi (228.12 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 Lowell
City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 35.2679200, -81.1028500 |
| Altitude | 249 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lowell (-81.10285, 35.26792)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.64 | $49.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.72 | $59.44 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.98 | $69.96 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.