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

The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Northlakes, NC is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152 miles (244.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m 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
178.05 mi
03h 36m
Flight
151.96 mi
244.55 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
151.96 mi
Kilometers
244.55 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.05 mi
Kilometers
286.55 km
Drive Time
03h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Northlakes
Thu, Apr 23, 9:31 AM EDT
Return by in West Raleigh
Thu, Apr 23, 1:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Raleigh
2026-04-23T05:55
Arrive Northlakes
Thu, Apr 23, 9:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 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
9:48 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
Kernersville
NC

City in North Carolina, United States of America

From West Raleigh
88.9 mi
01h 48m
To Northlakes
89.2 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 · 19 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 · 22 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

    83 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 321: Lenoir, Lincolnton, Hickory

    1102 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on US 321 North: Lenoir

    1.2 km · 2 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    5 mi · 8 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto River Bend Drive

    1307 ft · 41 sec · River Bend Drive

  20. 20

    Turn left

    2961 ft · 2 min

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Riverbend Drive

    13 m · 2 sec · Riverbend Drive

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Riverbend Drive

    1219 ft · 58 sec · Riverbend Drive

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Gunpowder View Circle

    589 ft · 28 sec · Gunpowder View Circle

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Blackhawk Ridge Way

    935 ft · 45 sec · Blackhawk Ridge Way

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto River Bend Drive

    1248 ft · 55 sec · River Bend Drive

  26. 26

    Turn slight right onto White Fawn Circle

    717 ft · 33 sec · White Fawn Circle

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Woodmere Point

    153 m · 22 sec · Woodmere Point

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Woodmere Point

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
83 mi · 47%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
81.8 mi · 46%
US 321 North
5.72 mi · 3%
Wade Avenue
3.71 mi · 2%
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

83 mi · 01h 34m

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 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.1 mi
152 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kernersville
01h 48m from West Raleigh
Leave By
9:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Raleigh and Sunny near Northlakes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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 88.9 miles from West Raleigh and 89.2 miles from Northlakes.

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

The direct path is about 152 miles (244.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 9:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.88 one way or $49.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Raleigh and Sunny near Northlakes.

Stop Ideas Near Kernersville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kernersville, 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 Kernersville.

BUS

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

14 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr
BUS

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

16 mi away
100 West 5th Street
RAIL

High Point

19 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Northlakes. Straight-line distance: 151.96 mi (244.55 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Northlakes

Township in Caldwell County, North Carolina

Population1,534
Coordinates35.7818000, -81.3750900
Altitude284
CountryUnited States
Start: West Raleigh (-78.66389, 35.78682)
End: Northlakes (-81.37509, 35.7818)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.28 gal
23.78 L · about $24.88
Round trip
$49.75
12.56 gal · 47.56 L
Estimated CO2
55.8 kg one way
Round trip: 111.6 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.88 $49.75
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.81 $55.63
Premium $4.78 $30.01 $60.01
Diesel $5.62 $35.32 $70.64

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

There is no time difference between West Raleigh and Northlakes. The current time is 05:55:16.

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.