Raleigh NC to Greenville SC drive: Best stops, time & distance
The best road trip stops on the Raleigh NC to Greenville SC drive are Durham NC, Greensboro NC and Charlotte NC. The distance from Raleigh NC to Greenville SC by car is 263 miles, with a 4h3m driving time.
Planning a Raleigh to Greenville road trip itinerary
The Raleigh to Greenville drive connects the capital of North Carolina to one of the biggest cities in South Carolina.
Raleigh NC offers a series of high quality museums. The North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina Museum of Art are the three big-hitters. Meanwhile, the Mordecai Historic Park is where you’ll find Raleigh’s oldest house and the William B Umstead State Park is the top spot for outdoorsy pursuits.
Top Raleigh activities include trolley pub tours and ghost tours.
For Raleigh accommodation, the Marriott is the prime address downtown and the Store is a gorgeous guesthouse.
Greenville SC is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It strikes a nice balance between outdoorsiness, culture and decadence. Falls Park on the Reedy brings cascades near the city center. The Upcountry History Museum covers regional history. And the Roper Mountain Science Center has a planetarium, dinosaur adventure trail, butterfly garden and a living history farm.
Enjoyable Greenville experiences include craft cocktail tours, Segway adventures, paranormal walking tours and dessert-themed foodie tours.
Great Greenville accommodation choices include the spacious SpringHill Suites and the charming Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast.
Raleigh NC to Greenville SC distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Raleigh NC to Greenville SC is 263 miles. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and three minutes. The quickest route is along the I-40 and I-85.
The best stops to add to a Raleigh to Greenville road trip itinerary are Durham NC, Greensboro NC and Charlotte NC.
Raleigh NC to Greenville SC drive: Durham NC
Durham NC is a big tech research center, and home to Duke University. The latter is home to the Nasher Museum of Art and the soaring Gothic Duke Chapel.
Nature-lovers can go walking through the Sarah P Duke Gardens and take a tour of the Duke Lemur Center. The biggest crowd-pleaser, however, is the Museum of Life and Science. There are several sections to this, both indoor and outdoor. It’s mainly button-pushing, kid-friendly science indoors and black bears, butterflies and red wolves outside.
The best-rated Durham NC accommodation options are the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club and the Hampton Inn and Suites at the University Medical Center.
Best stops between Raleigh NC and Greenville SC: Greensboro NC
Greensboro NC has a handful of strong cultural attractions. The first port of call should be the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which houses the original FW Woolworth’s lunch counter. This was where four college freshmen staged a sit-in at the whites-only venue – a key moment of non-violent direct action in the Civil Rights struggle.
There are more backstories at the Greensboro History Museum, and the Guildford Courthouse National Military Park focuses on a Revolutionary War turning point.
For the best Greensboro accommodation deals, search here.
Raleigh to Greenville road trip attractions: Charlotte NC
Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina. Major attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the thrill-packed Carowinds amusement park and the Billy Graham Library. Another popular option is the Sea Life aquarium.
For top Charlotte activities, try historical city tours by golf cart, Segway tours through the Uptown neighbourhood and after dark ghost tours.
Well-reviewed and central Charlotte accommodation options include the AC by Marriott and the Hyatt House.
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