How far is West Raleigh, NC from Rutherfordton, NC?
The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to Rutherfordton, NC is about 221.3 miles (356.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 04h 28m.
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.
Town in North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Raleigh and Rutherfordton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and Rutherfordton.
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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 right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
103.2 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Morganton, Rutherfordton
1262 ft · 38 sec
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17
Turn left onto Burkemont Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Burkemont Avenue
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18
Continue on Rutherford Road
27.9 mi · 39 min · Rutherford Road
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19
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
2639 ft · 42 sec · Railroad Avenue
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20
Turn sharp right onto Green Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Green Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
1414 ft · 48 sec · North Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Raleigh and Rutherfordton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
103 mi · 01h 57m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving West Raleigh and Rain Showers Likely near Rutherfordton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to Rutherfordton?
The road trip is about 221.3 miles (356.2 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Clemmons is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.5 miles from West Raleigh and 110.9 miles from Rutherfordton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 8:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.24 one way or $64.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around West Raleigh and Rain Showers Likely near Rutherfordton.
Stop Ideas Near Clemmons
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 Clemmons.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Lexington
High Point
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and Rutherfordton. Straight-line distance: 187.27 mi (301.38 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 Rutherfordton
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,090 |
| Coordinates | 35.3692900, -81.9567700 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherfordton (-81.95677, 35.36929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.13 | $32.24 | $64.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.57 | $35.72 | $71.43 |
| Premium | $4.98 | $38.87 | $77.74 |
| Diesel | $6.23 | $48.69 | $97.38 |
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