How far is West Raleigh, NC from South Gastonia, NC?

The driving distance from West Raleigh, NC to South Gastonia, NC is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m 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
185.09 mi
03h 37m
Flight
148.24 mi
238.57 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
148.24 mi
Kilometers
238.57 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.09 mi
Kilometers
297.88 km
Drive Time
03h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Gastonia
Sun, Apr 19, 9:41 AM EDT
Return by in West Raleigh
Sun, Apr 19, 1:19 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Raleigh
2026-04-19T06:03
Arrive South Gastonia
Sun, Apr 19, 9:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 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
9:44 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Trinity
NC

City in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

From West Raleigh
92.5 mi
01h 48m
To South Gastonia
92.6 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph W
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Raleigh and South Gastonia.

  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 left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia

    858 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue

    3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on East Long Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Long Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Chester Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Chester Street

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto South York Street

    1186 ft · 22 sec · South York Street

  21. 21

    Continue on South York Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · South York Road

  22. 22

    Continue on York Highway

    1298 ft · 24 sec · York Highway

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Davis Park Road

    1677 ft · 46 sec · Davis Park Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Weston Avenue

    772 ft · 34 sec · Weston Avenue

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Becky Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 Business South
105 mi · 57%
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
69.2 mi · 37%
Wade Avenue
3.71 mi · 2%
South York Road
1.58 mi · 1%
Hillsborough Street
1.26 mi · 1%
East Long Avenue
1.25 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 Business South

Keep slight left

99.4 mi · 01h 52m

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 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.8 mi
148.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Trinity
01h 48m from West Raleigh
Leave By
9:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving West Raleigh and Chance Rain Showers near South Gastonia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Raleigh to South Gastonia?

The road trip is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?

Trinity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from West Raleigh and 92.6 miles from South Gastonia.

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

The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 9:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.87 one way or $51.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Raleigh and Chance Rain Showers near South Gastonia.

Stop Ideas Near Trinity

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

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

RAIL

High Point

7 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

23 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

Lexington

25 mi away
Center St. and railroad tracks
BUS

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

30 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Raleigh and South Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 148.24 mi (238.57 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
South Gastonia

#2 South Gastonia

Unincorporated community

Population5,312
Coordinates35.2193000, -81.2056300
Altitude221
CountryUnited States
Start: West Raleigh (-78.66389, 35.78682)
End: South Gastonia (-81.20563, 35.2193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.53 gal
24.72 L · about $25.87
Round trip
$51.73
13.06 gal · 49.44 L
Estimated CO2
58 kg one way
Round trip: 116.1 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.87 $51.73
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.92 $57.84
Premium $4.78 $31.20 $62.40
Diesel $5.62 $36.72 $73.45

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between West Raleigh and South Gastonia. The current time is 06:03:13.

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.