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How to Get From Raleigh to Asheville: 3 Best Ways (2024)
Trying to find the best way to get from Raleigh to Asheville, United States without wasting time or getting lost?
These are two of the most popular cities in North Carolina and tons of people visit them all the time!
Caleb and I have lived in North Carolina for a while now and have explored both cities, so we have all the ins and outs of getting to two of our favorite cities in North Carolina!
Whether you’re going to explore Western North Carolina, spend time at the Biltmore Estate, eat all the amazing food in Asheville and hike the waterfalls around Pisgah Forest, or just want to spend time in each city you will need to know the best ways to get from one city to the other!
Hello, hello! At your service! We can provide some more human insight than that little car driving around your Google Maps!
There are 3 realistic ways to get from Raleigh NC to Asheville NC and vice-versa. You can fly, drive/rent a car, or take the bus.
We put this guide together to show you the cost, durations, and logistics for all of these options. By the end, you’ll be able to get from Raleigh to Asheville stress-free in the way that works best for your time and budget!
3 Ways to Get From Raleigh to Asheville
Here is a quick overview of each of the 3 options with a comparison chart to save you reading:
- Fly – This is the most expensive option and usually isn’t much faster than driving. But, this is the best for people who really hate driving and would rather spend some time zoning out to an airplane movie and eating peanuts. If they even give those to you anymore.
- Driving or renting a car – This is the absolute best way to get from Raleigh to Asheville. It’s not the cheapest but it allows you to see more things and do the drive as slowly or quickly as you want.
- Taking the bus – this is the longest but cheapest option and is best for those visiting North Carolina on a tight budget.
| Mode of Transportation | Time | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | 3-6 hours | $150-$500 one way | Those who really hate driving |
| Driving | 4-5 hours | $40-$60 per day | Those who want flexibility |
| Taking the Bus | 6.5-7.5 hours | $30-$50 one way | Those on a budget |
Distance from Raleigh to Asheville
The distance from Raleigh to Asheville NC is roughly 245 miles and will take you 4-5 hours by car depending on traffic. You can expect closer to 7 hours by bus.
Option1 – Raleigh to Asheville Flight
While flying is usually the most convenient for get from place to place on your vacation, that is not the case when you are trying to get from Raleigh to Asheville.
The flights leave from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) and there are no direct flights.
How much is the flight from Raleigh to Asheville?
The flight from Raleigh to Asheville is very expensive for the short distance you are traveling. As of September 2023, the prices range from $150 to $250 one-way. If you book a week or less in advance, you could be looking at closer to $500 one-way!
This does not include a checked bag, which is usually about $30-$50.
How long is a flight from Raleigh to Asheville?
The actual flight time from Raleigh to Asheville is only around 2 hours depending on where your layover is.
However, that’s the problem with flying: the layovers. There are no direct flights and you will likely have a layover in Charlotte or Atlanta. These layovers are usually anywhere from 1-3 hours, making your total travel time anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.
Factor that into having to get to the airport an hour before your flight and you can see why flying is not the best way to make this trip.
What airlines fly from Raleigh to Asheville?
American Airlines is the largest airline that has Raleigh to Asheville flights with many flights taking off each day. You may find some Delta or United flights, but they tend to leave far less often and have super crappy layovers.
Option 2 – Raleigh to Asheville Drive
Renting a car and doing a Raleigh to Asheville drive is 11/10 the best way to make this trip!
Just like when driving from Charlotte to Asheville, It gives you the flexibility to stop along the way and makes getting around the city easier once you get there. It saves you the headache of figuring out bus schedules, dealing with late buses, or having to spend $10 to get a small coffee at the airport.
You know I’m not exaggerating. I might try my hand at coffee farming at the rate that prices are increasing. (I won’t, but you get it.)
It’s nice to have a car for when you drive around the Biltmore or if you want to go hiking around Pisgah National Forest.
How many hours is the drive from Raleigh to Asheville?
The drive from Raleigh to Asheville is going to be around 4 to 5 hours if you drive it straight through, depending on traffic and if you have to stop to use the bathroom, get gas, etc.
Pro tip: try to leave in the late morning or early afternoon so you don’t hit traffic as you leave Raleigh. This added over an hour to our drive and it was that super annoying stop-go-stop-go traffic.
Is Driving Hard in North Carolina?
We’ve driven all over the world – Rome, Turkey, and even in places like Ireland where we drive on the other side of the road than we are used to, and I can safely (or maybe unsafely?) say that driving in North Carolina has been the scariest.
Not to be dramatic but it kinda feels like no one listens to the rules here. People speed like crazy, run lights when they’ve been red for at least 2 seconds and they seem to have something against turn signals?
It’s a weird phenomenon, but just make sure you have your wits about you when you are driving (like, always?)
The Best Route From Raleigh to Asheville
The best route to get from Raleigh to Asheville by car is simply to follow the I-40 West. This will take you literally all the way into Asheville.
It’s the fastest and most direct which is why we recommend taking this route on your road trip. Make sure you have your couple’s questions to kill some time!
Best Stops From Raleigh to Asheville
Of course, you could drive straight on through if you just want to get to Asheville as quickly as possible. However, you would be missing out on some of the great cities that North Carolina has to offer and that would be sad for you.
Stop 1: Chapel Hill – 33 miles/35 minutes from Raleigh, depending on traffic
Things to do in Chapel Hill:
- Explore Franklin Street – the main street downtown with all the great bars, food, and lots of shops. If you’re staying the night, we recommend holing up in the Crunkleton for some awesome cocktails. It’s right on Franklin Street.
- Take a romantic stroll together through the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
- Watch a basketball game at Dean E. Smith Center.
- Have a romantic steak dinner over a bottle of wine at Bin 54 Steak & Cellar
If you’re staying overnight, we recommend staying at the Carolina Inn as it’s close to Franklin Street.
Stop 2: Greensboro – 50 miles/50 minutes from Chapel Hill and 77 miles/1 hour from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
Things to do in Greensboro:
- Take a stroll through the 17-ace Greensboro Arboretym or the 11-ace Gateway Gardens. You know, for more romance and flowers and stuff.
- Sip a beer together at Pig Pounder Brewery and admire their murals.
- Share food at GIA – a great date spot for Italian-style tapas and craft cocktails.
If you’re staying overnight, we recommend staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown. It’s a mid-budget kind of spot that is central to everything downtown without breaking the bank!
Stop 3: Winston Salem – 29 miles/30 minutes from Greensboro and 100 miles/2 hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
Things to do in Winston Salem:
- For the beer-loving couple, you have to check out Foothills Brewing. It’s a 48,000-foot brewery!
- For the couple who prefers wine – go winery hopping (our fav) – There are many great wineries within 20 minutes of Winston-Salem. We recommend RayLen Vineyards and Old Homeplace Vineyard. Just check opening hours before you go and don’t drink and drive.
Check out these wine tours if you have a day to spend! Then you can enjoy yourself without worrying about driving.
- Go on a food tour – Taste of Carolina puts on incredible food tours (we did one on our 3 days in Charlotte) and they offer them in Winston-Salem. If you have the afternoon there, we highly recommend this.
If you’re staying overnight, we recommend staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites Winston-Salem Downtown. Like Greensboro, a mid-budget kind spot that is central to everything downtown without breaking the bank! It also has breakfast included.
Rest Areas from Raleigh to Asheville
While you can always stop at gas stations, there are three main “official” rest areas on the I-40 Westbound. You’ll find the McDowell Rest Area, Catawba Rest Area, and Davie County Rest Area.
The Davie County Rest area is 2 hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
The Catawba Rest Area is 2 ½ hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
The McDowell Rest Area is 3 ½ hours from Raleigh, depending on traffic.
How much is a rental car from Raleigh to Asheville?
Depending on the season, you can get a rental car in Raleigh to drive to Asheville between $40-$60 per day. The longer you rent the vehicle the lower the price.
We always recommend booking rental cars with Discover Cars for customer service and price.
>> Click here to check rental car prices from Raleigh <<
Option 3 – Raleigh to Asheville Bus
Taking a Greyhound from Raleigh to Asheville is the longest transportation method but that also means that it’s the cheapest. If you’re looking to save a buck, this is your best bet.
The Greyhound Buses from Raleigh leave from the Raleigh Bus Station and there are multiple direct buses each day. The timetables can change so make sure you check the timetables on the Greyhound website.
How much is a bus from Raleigh to Asheville?
Bus tickets from Raleigh to Asheville range from $30 to $50 depending on the season and time of day.
Raleigh to Asheville Bus Schedule
Buses run all year from the Raleigh Bus Station, usually twice a day at 10:50 a.m. or 3:35 p.m. But, the schedule is always changing so make sure you check it!
How long is the bus from Raleigh to Asheville?
Depending on if you take the morning or afternoon bus, the bus schedule says that the bus ride from Raleigh to Asheville takes 6 ½ to 7 ½ hours. This is a ballpark estimate and it could take longer if you get stuck in rush hour.
Raleigh VS Asheville
Raleigh and Asheville are two of the largest cities in North Carolina, but they are so different! We love both cities and definitely think that they should both be on your “must-visit list”
While they both have a “city” vibe, Raleigh has more of a modern, business city feel with taller buildings and less of a historic old charm. There are tons of great restaurants and bars in Raleigh and the downtown area is super walkable. Raleigh has tons of amazing coffee shops as well!
Asheville on the other hand is more of a laid-back, hipster mountain town with lots of old charm and lots of craft beer. It has a beautiful old town area with amazing food and drinks. Like Raleigh, the downtown area is very walkable.
How Many Days Do You Need In Raleigh?
Raleigh is a large city with a lot to see, do, and eat and some fun cities in the area to check out like Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. To make the most of your stay, we recommend spending 3-4 days in Raleigh. This gives you 2 days to explore the city itself and a few days to roam outside of it.
How Many Days Do You Need in Asheville?
Asheville feels smaller but there is still plenty to do – especially if you love the outdoors. The Pisgah National Forest with its beautiful waters and plenty of hikes is just next door. We recommend spending 2-3 days here. 2 Days exploring Asheville and then a day to get into the North Carolina outdoors.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to get from Raleigh to Asheville?
The cheapest way to get from Raleigh to Asheville is to take the Greyhound bus, which will cost you $30-$50.
Is it better to drive or fly from Raleigh to Asheville?
It is absolutely much better to drive from Raleigh to Asheville instead of flying. It ends up being faster as you don’t need to get to the airport early and you don’t have to deal with layovers or delayed flights.
Seriously, just rent a car. Even with the crazy drivers.
Is it worth it to drive from Raleigh to Asheville?
Both cities are amazing to check out and the drive is really quite short so it is worth it to drive from Raleigh to Asheville.
How many days will it take to drive from Raleigh to Asheville?
It will take you less than a day to drive from Raleigh to Asheville – only 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic!
How Far is Asheville from Raleigh?
It is 250 miles from Asheville to Raleigh which is about 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic.
Does Amtrak go to Asheville NC?
No, the Amtrak does not go directly to Asheville NC, so there is no Raleigh to Asheville train.
Conclusion/Final Thoughts: Raleigh to Asheville
Both Raleigh and Asheville are wonderful cities with romantic spots, great food and drinks, and plenty of culture and a trip from Raleigh to Asheville is simple and easy!
We highly recommend renting a car or taking a bus as opposed to flying to make the most of your time enjoying the area instead of waiting at an airport!
We hope this answers all the questions you have about your journey across North Carolina!
Once you’re done exploring the cities, check out the Beaches:
