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

The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Morganton, NC is about 190.9 miles (307.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169.4 miles (272.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
190.91 mi
03h 45m
Flight
169.38 mi
272.59 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Raleigh.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
169.38 mi
Kilometers
272.59 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
190.91 mi
Kilometers
307.24 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Morganton
Wed, Sep 23, 3:04 PM EDT
Return by in West Raleigh
Wed, Sep 23, 6:50 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Raleigh
2026-09-23T11:19
Arrive Morganton
Wed, Sep 23, 3:04 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:28 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Raleigh
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Wallburg
NC

Human settlement in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States of America

From West Raleigh
95.3 mi
01h 52m
To Morganton
95.6 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Overnight

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 mph NE
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Enterprise Street

    13 m · 7 sec · Enterprise Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Hillsborough Street

    2767 ft · 1 min · Hillsborough Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    33 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    789 ft · 20 sec · Hillsborough Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    27 m · 2 sec · Hillsborough Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    926 ft · 23 sec · Hillsborough Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hillsborough Street

    30 m · 3 sec · Hillsborough Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Hillsborough Street

    1893 ft · 49 sec · Hillsborough Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Faircloth Street

    2814 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Wade Avenue

    2281 ft · 51 sec · Wade Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Wade Avenue

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.

    61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    12.6 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

    101 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 18: Morganton, Shelby

    1300 ft · 34 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Sterling Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · South Sterling Street

  18. 18

    Continue on South Green Street

    1735 ft · 1 min · South Green Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Concord Street

    99 m · 13 sec · East Concord Street

  20. 20

    Turn left

    31 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
101 mi · 53%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
81.8 mi · 43%
Wade Avenue
3.71 mi · 2%
South Sterling Street
1.91 mi · 1%
Hillsborough Street
1.26 mi · 1%
Faircloth Street
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville

101 mi · 01h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.5 mi
169.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wallburg
01h 52m from West Raleigh
Leave By
9:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving West Raleigh and Rain Showers Likely near Morganton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 190.9 miles (307.2 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?

Wallburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.3 miles from West Raleigh and 95.6 miles from Morganton.

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

The direct path is about 169.4 miles (272.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 9:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.82 one way or $55.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around West Raleigh and Rain Showers Likely near Morganton.

Stop Ideas Near Wallburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wallburg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

12 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
RAIL

High Point

13 mi away
100 West High St
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

13 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

Lexington

23 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Morganton. Straight-line distance: 169.38 mi (272.59 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
Morganton

#2 Morganton

City in Burke County, North Carolina, United States

Population16,625
Coordinates35.7454100, -81.6848200
Altitude352
CountryUnited States
Start: West Raleigh (-78.66389, 35.78682)
End: Morganton (-81.68482, 35.74541)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 307 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.74 gal
25.5 L · about $27.82
Round trip
$55.65
13.48 gal · 51 L
Estimated CO2
59.9 kg one way
Round trip: 119.8 kg / 264 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.13 $27.82 $55.65
Mid-grade $4.57 $30.82 $61.64
Premium $4.98 $33.54 $67.09
Diesel $6.23 $42.02 $84.03

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 · Sep 23, 2026

There is no time difference between West Raleigh and Morganton. The current time is 11:19:09.

Distance to Other Cities

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