Raleigh Driving and Commute Times

Are you considering moving to the Raleigh area and want to learn more about the driving and commute times? Keep reading to learn more about Raleigh's average driving and commute times. 

With a population of 112,784 and growing, Raleigh, NC, is a booming city with ample job opportunities and abundant things to do. It is not a surprise that Raleigh is growing so rapidly.

Raleigh is a part of what is called the Research Triangle area, along with Durham and Chapel Hill. Many people commute to the Research Triangle for work every day, and the Raleigh area isn't known to have many public transportation options. As a result, the majority commute in cars, which causes congestion on almost all the highways in the area. 

Commuters are mostly coming from the suburbs around Raleigh, like Cary, Holly Springs, Apex, Smithfield, Lillington, and more. Each town offers something different, and before you settle down in your new home, you should know how the commuting times vary. 

Whether you are commuting for work, school, or anything else, it is essential to know how long it'll take. In this guide, we will cover the average driving and commute times in Raleigh and other data. 

Keep reading to learn more about Raleigh's driving and commute times.

1. How Long Does it Really Take to Commute to Raleigh?

The average American commute is getting longer each year, and Raleigh is no different. The average one-way commute in Raleigh takes about 24 minutes, which is shorter than the national average of 26 minutes. 

The majority of commuters in Raleigh drive alone in their own car, as only 7.1% work from home. Commute times will vary significantly based on several factors like the time, mode of transportation, and end location. 

During rush hour, commute times may be longer than 30 minutes. If you are traveling to or from outside of Raleigh, commute times may range from 45 minutes to an hour. You can keep up with traffic updates to be more prepared beforehand. 

The majority of commuters in the morning drive to work between 7 and 8:30 a.m. In the evening, the most commuters are driving between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. In some cases, commuters get stuck in stand-still traffic on major roads like I-440 and Glenwood Avenue when there is an accident or backup.

Depending on what time you commute, your commute times will vary, but you can expect it to take about 30 minutes. In response to the traffic congestion, Raleigh is doing everything it can to update and enlarge the major highways. 

Luckily, Raleigh and Durham commuters spend much less time in traffic compared to the national average. However, there are very few modes of public transportation for those commuting from outside the city of Raleigh. 

2. Public Transportation

Although driving is the most common mode of transportation in Raleigh, the city offers many public transportation options. However, there are no train systems like there are in other large cities. If you live in the city, commuting is reasonably easy with many bus systems.

GoRaleigh

The main Raleigh public transportation system is GoRaleigh, which travels throughout the city. The transit map will help you determine which route is best for your needs. As of now, GoRaleigh is free to all, but that will be changing in June 2024, and fares will still remain affordable. 

GoRaleigh features 28 fixed buses throughout Raleigh's downtown and has seven regional/express routes. Starting June 2024, you can purchase only bus passes or one-day passes by cash. 

RLine

RLine is the next bus system as an eco-friendly mode of transportation for Raleigh residents. The free bus system can take you to restaurants, venues, museums, hotels, and stores around Raleigh. This is a great option if you live in the city and want an affordable commute. 

Choose from one of the 20 lines with different routes across the city. Services are down as of December 2023 and temporarily suspended until specific metrics are achieved. 

GoTriangle

Similar to GoRaleigh, the Triangle area has GoTriangle, which provides public transportation to Mebane, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Cary. 

Featuring regional bus and shuttle services, paratransit services, ride matching and vanpools, and emergency ride-home programs, this is a great option for Raleigh commuters. 

Price varies depending on your tip, but you can visit Fares and Passes to find the exact fare price. 

3. Main Highways for Raleigh Commuters

The main highways Raleigh commuters take are I-40, the Raleigh beltline or I-440, and I-540. I-40 is the main connector of Wake County to the Research Triangle, although it is currently undergoing construction as part of the N.C. Department of Transportation's Fortify Rebuild Project. This does cause longer commute times, but in the long run, it will cut down times greatly.

In addition, US 70 connects Raleigh and Durham, following the I-85 around northern Durham. Many commuters travel along U.S. Route 1, which starts in Florida and goes all the way up to Maine. 

Passing through Cary, Raleigh, and several other towns in the Triangle, the majority of commuters use this highway. Unfortunately, this also means that there is more traffic on this highway and higher commute times. 

If you are traveling from the Holly Springs, Apex, or Fuquay area, you'll most likely drive on US-1 N and I-40 E. If you commute from the west in the Morrisville area, you will travel view I-40 E, and if you are coming from the east, you will most likely drive on US-401 S. There are several other routes to take, but these are the fastest with an average commute time of 24 minutes. 

4. Cost of Transportation

The overall cost of living In Raleigh is 4% less than the national average, and transportation is 5% lower. Luckily, until June 2024, public transportation is free in Raleigh.

As most commuters drive their own cars, gas is also cheaper in Raleigh compared to the national average. However, gas prices do vary throughout the year and are subject to change as a result of many factors. 

	Cost in Raleigh	National Cost
Public Transportation	$0	$1.52
Gallon of Gas	$3.50	$3.84

EPI estimates that a single person living in Raleigh will spend about $10,096 a year on transportation. This is an accumulation of the cost of gas, public transportation, and car maintenance. Keep in mind that this average will vary depending on your lifestyle and other factors. 

Overall, you should have many transportation options available at a relatively affordable price. You can cut down your transportation costs by utilizing public transportation options or carpooling, which will also help the environment. 

5. How is Raleigh Keeping Up With the Growth?

The Raleigh area is ever-growing, and many of the surrounding cities are some of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina. Many residents in these cities commute to Raleigh for work, meaning Raleigh has to keep up with the rapid growth to cut down on traffic times.

According to WRAL News, infrastructure investment and development is enhancing transportation for the Triangle. Raleigh was ranked the "hottest" residential real estate market according to U.S. News & World Report, and the city is doing its best to keep up with the influx of people moving to Raleigh. 

In 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration approved RDU's 25-year master plan called Vision 40. This will focus on improving runways, security checkpoints, terminals, parking, and rental car facilities at the airport. 

One of the best improvements Raleigh has focused on is widening and improving the I-40 corridor east of the I-440 Beltline and between in the Triangle. This will improve traffic from Raleigh to Clayton and the connection to I-95. This is projected to be done in 2024. 

Ramp meters are also being developed to control the frequency at which vehicles enter the freeway, which is a great tool for reducing traffic on main roads. 

In addition, I-540 is being expanded, and construction is projected to be completed by 2027. After completion, 540 will span seventy miles, beginning at Interstate 40's exit 283 in Durham and North around North Raleigh and ending at I-87/US 64/US 264 freeway in Knightdale. 

As of now, a toll is necessary, although this greatly reduces the number of cars on the road, which will greatly cut down commute times. Encircling the greater Raleigh area, this is another great option for Raleigh commuters. 

FAQ: Raleigh Driving and Commute Times

Here are the most commonly asked questions about Raleigh driving and commute times.

What is the average commute time to work in North Carolina?

The average commute time across the state varies greatly but averages about 24.8 minutes, a significant increase in recent years.

Does Raleigh have good public transportation?

Raleigh's main public transportation option is the bus system, which only takes you around downtown. If you travel from the suburbs around Raleigh, your only real option is by car. If you are downtown, the R-Line is a great and free option for travel with scheduled shops all around downtown. 

What time is rush hour in North Carolina?

Similar to most metropolitan areas, the rush hour in NC is between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

What is the average commute time in Raleigh, NC?

Similarly to the rest of North Carolina, the average commute time is about 26 minutes in Raleigh. Of course, this depends greatly on the time and area you drive from.

Is Raleigh a good place for jobs?

The Wall Street Journal named Raleigh one of America's top three Hottest Job Markets. The city is also rated the number one best city for working women, third on the STEM job growth index, and eighth in the biggest boomtown in America in 2023.

Raleigh Driving and Commute Times - The Bottom Line

When deciding where to move to in the Triangle, it is essential to take into account how your commute times will vary. You don't want to be traveling an hour each way to work five days a week. Luckily, Raleigh is improving and widening many of the major highways to decrease commute times and prepare as the city grows.

No one wants to sit in traffic after a long day at work, and the Raleigh area is growing rapidly. On the bright side, as the area grows, Raleigh is constantly working on improvements to make your life easier as a resident. This is just another reason to move to the Triangle. 

The homes in the Raleigh area are some of the best in North Carolina. If you are commuting to work from outside of Raleigh, you'll need to research the best suburbs in Raleigh to find the perfect home. There are many pros and cons of living in North Carolina, so make sure to carefully look over your options before moving into one of NC's best neighborhoods.

As you search for your next home in Raleigh, feel free to contact one of our helpful Real Estate Specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that selling and buying a home can be stressful, so make sure to reach out to us at Raleigh Realty beforehand.