Trying to figure out how to go from Raleigh to Asheville, North Carolina, without wasting time or getting lost?
These are two of the most popular cities in North Carolina, and many people visit them regularly!
Caleb and I have lived in North Carolina for a long and have explored both places, so we know exactly how to travel to two of our favorite cities in North Carolina!
Whether you want to tour Western North Carolina, visit the Biltmore Estate, eat all of the delicious food in Asheville, hike the waterfalls around Pisgah Forest, or just spend time in each city, you’ll need to know the best methods to travel from one to the other!
Hello there! At your disposal! We can offer more human perspective than that small automobile going around your Google Maps!
There are three viable options for getting from Raleigh to Asheville and vice versa. You have the option of flying, driving/renting a car, or taking the bus.
This guide was created to show you the costs, durations, and logistics for each of these solutions. By the end, you’ll be able to travel from Raleigh to Asheville with ease and on a budget that works for you!
Three Options for Getting From Raleigh to Asheville
To save you time, here is a brief overview of each of the three possibilities, along with a comparison chart:
- Flying is the most expensive alternative and generally takes longer than driving. However, this is the greatest option for folks who despise driving and would rather spend their time zoning out to an airplane movie and snacking on peanuts. If they even give you them anymore.
- Driving or hiring a vehicle is the most convenient method to go from Raleigh to Asheville. It is not the cheapest option, but it allows you to see more and drive as leisurely or rapidly as you choose.
- Taking the bus – this is the longest but cheapest alternative and is ideal for individuals on a low budget who are visiting North Carolina.
Distance Between Raleigh and Asheville
The distance between Raleigh and Asheville, NC is around 245 miles and will take you 4-5 hours to drive depending on traffic. By bus, the journey will take closer to 7 hours.
Option 1: Fly from Raleigh to Asheville.
While flying is typically the most convenient way to get from one location to another on vacation, this is not the case while traveling from Raleigh to Asheville.
There are no direct flights, and all flights depart from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU).
What Is the Cost of a Flight from Raleigh to Asheville?
The flight from Raleigh to Asheville is excessively pricey for such a little distance. Prices range from $150 to $250 one-way as of September 2023. If you book a week or fewer in advance, you might end up paying more than $500 one-way!
This does not include the cost of a checked bag, which is normally between $30 and $50.
How Long Does It Take To Fly From Raleigh To Asheville?
Depending on where you stop, the actual flight time from Raleigh to Asheville is only about 2 hours.
However, there is an issue with flying: layovers. There are no direct flights, so you’ll most likely have to stop in Charlotte or Atlanta. These layovers are normally between 1-3 hours long, bringing your total travel duration to between 3 and 6 hours.
When you consider needing to get to the airport an hour before your departure, it’s easy to understand why flying isn’t the ideal option for this vacation.
What Airlines Operate Flights From Raleigh To Asheville?
American Airlines is the major airline that operates Raleigh-Asheville routes, with several flights departing each day. You could discover some Delta or United flights, but they leave much less often and have terrible layovers.
Option 2: Drive from Raleigh to Asheville
It provides you the opportunity to stop along the way, much like driving from Charlotte to Asheville, and makes navigating about the city easier once you arrive. It spares you the hassle of finding out bus timings, dealing with late buses, or spending $10 at the airport for a little coffee.
You know I’m not making this up. With the rate at which coffee prices are rising, I could try my hand at coffee growing. (I won’t, but you get the idea.)
How Long Does It Take To Get From Raleigh To Asheville?
The travel from Raleigh to Asheville will take around 4 to 5 hours if you drive straight through, depending on traffic and whether you need to stop to use the lavatory, buy petrol, etc.
Pro tip: attempt to depart in the late morning or early afternoon to avoid traffic on the way out of Raleigh. This added more than an hour to our journey, and it was that vexing stop-go-stop-go traffic.
Is Driving in North Carolina Difficult?
We’ve traveled all over the world – Rome, Turkey, and even Ireland, where we drive on the opposite side of the road than we’re used to – and I can fairly (or maybe dangerously?) say that driving in North Carolina has been the most terrifying.
Not to sound dramatic, but it appears like no one here follows the rules. People drive at breakneck speeds, run red lights after they’ve been red for at least 2 seconds, and appear to be anti-turn signals.
It’s an odd thing, but simply have your wits about you when you’re driving (like, always?)
The Most Direct Route Between Raleigh and Asheville
The best way to go from Raleigh to Asheville by vehicle is to take I-40 West. This will take you to Asheville.
It is the quickest and most direct route, therefore we recommend choosing it on your road trip. Make sure you have some questions for your pair to pass the time!
Best Places to Visit Between Raleigh and Asheville
Of course, if you want to get to Asheville as soon as possible, you could drive right through. However, you would be losing out on some of the best cities in North Carolina, which would be a shame.
Stop 1: Chapel Hill, 33 miles/35 minutes from Raleigh (depending on traffic).
Activities in Chapel Hill include:
- Explore Franklin Street, the downtown main street with all of the excellent pubs, restaurants, and boutiques. If you’re planning on staying the night, we recommend stopping by the Crunkleton for some delicious drinks. It is located on Franklin Street.
- Take a romantic stroll through the North Carolina Botanical Garden together.
At the Dean E. Smith Centre, you can watch a basketball game. - Bin 54 Steak & Cellar offers a romantic steak supper with a bottle of wine.
If you’re staying overnight, the Carolina Inn is a good choice because it’s near Franklin Street.
Stop 2: Greensboro, which is around 50 miles/50 minutes from Chapel Hill and approximately 77 miles/1 hour from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
Greensboro Attractions:
- Explore the 17-acre Greensboro Arboretum or the 11-acre Gateway Gardens. You know, for more romance and roses and that sort of thing.
- Drink a drink and view the artwork at Pig Pounder Brewery.
- GIA is an excellent dating destination for Italian-style tapas and handmade drinks.
If you need to stay overnight, we recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown. It’s a mid-priced place that’s close to everything downtown without breaking the bank!
Stop 3: Winston Salem, which is around 29 miles/30 minutes from Greensboro and approximately 100 miles/2 hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
Things to do in Winston Salem include:
- Foothills Brewing is a must-see for the beer-loving pair. It’s a 48,000-square-foot brewery!
- For the wine-loving pair, go winery hopping (our favorite) – there are several fantastic wineries within 20 minutes of Winston-Salem. RayLen Vineyards and Old Homeplace Vineyard are two of our favorites. Just make sure to verify the hours before you go, and don’t drink and drive.
- Take a food tour – Taste of Carolina offers fantastic food excursions in Winston-Salem (we did one during our three days in Charlotte). We highly recommend spending the afternoon there if you get the opportunity.
If you need to stay overnight, we recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Downtown. Greensboro, for example, is a mid-priced sort of area that is convenient to everything downtown without breaking the bank! Breakfast is also provided.
From Raleigh to Asheville, there are rest stops.
While fueling stations are always available, there are three primary “official” rest spots on the I-40 Westbound. The McDowell Rest Area, Catawba Rest Area, and Davie County Rest Area are all nearby.
Depending on traffic, the Davie County Rest Area is about a two-hour drive from Raleigh.
The Catawba Rest Area is about two and a half hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
Depending on traffic, the McDowell Rest Area is approximately 3 12 hours from Raleigh.
How Much Does a Car Rental From Raleigh To Asheville Cost?
Depending on the season, you may hire a car in Raleigh for $40-$60 per day to travel to Asheville. The lower the price, the longer you hire the vehicle.
For customer service and affordability, we always recommend arranging rental cars with Discover Cars.
Option 3: Bus from Raleigh to Asheville
Taking a Greyhound bus from Raleigh to Asheville is the most expensive option, but it is also the shortest. If you want to save money, this is your best bet.
Greyhound buses from Raleigh depart at the Raleigh Bus Station, and there are several direct buses available each day. Because schedules sometimes vary, be sure you check the Greyhound website.
How Much Does A Bus Ride From Raleigh To Asheville Cost?
Depending on the season and time of day, bus fares from Raleigh to Asheville run from $30 to $50.
Bus Schedule From Raleigh To Asheville
Buses run from the Raleigh Bus Station all year, generally twice a day at 10:50 a.m. and 3:35 p.m. However, the timetable is subject to change, so double-check!
How Long Does the Bus Ride From Raleigh To Asheville Take?
The bus timetable states that the bus travel from Raleigh to Asheville takes 6 to 7 hours, depending on whether you take the morning or afternoon bus. This is a rough estimate, and it may take longer if you get caught during rush hour.
Asheville vs. Raleigh
Raleigh and Asheville are two of North Carolina’s major cities, yet they couldn’t be more different! We adore both cities and believe they should both be on your “must-see” list.
While both have a “city” sense, Raleigh has a more contemporary, business-like ambiance with higher buildings and less historic old charm. Raleigh has a lot of wonderful restaurants and pubs, and the downtown area is quite walkable. Raleigh also boasts a plethora of fantastic coffee places!
Asheville, on the other hand, is a laid-back, hipster mountain town full of old charm and artisan beer. It offers a lovely historic town with delicious cuisine and beverages. Raleigh, for example.
How Long Do You Need in Raleigh?
Raleigh is a major city with plenty to see, do, and eat, as well as nearby communities like Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. We recommend staying in Raleigh for 3-4 days to get the most out of your trip. This offers you two days to explore the city and a couple of days to visit the surrounding area.
How Long Do You Need in Asheville?
Asheville may appear smaller, but there is still much to do, particularly if you enjoy the outdoors. The Pisgah National Forest, with its gorgeous lakes and several hiking trails, is right next door. We recommend staying for at least two days. 2 days in Asheville, followed by a day in the North Carolina outdoors.
Conclusion
Both Raleigh and Asheville are excellent towns with romantic sites, amazing food and beverages, and lots of cultures, and traveling from Raleigh to Asheville is simple!
We strongly advise renting a vehicle or taking the bus instead of flying to maximize your time experiencing the region rather than waiting at an airport!
We hope this answers any of your questions concerning your trip across North Carolina!
