Major city · United States
Smithfield-Selma
Stop for half a day off I-95, not a base: Ava Gardner Museum, a $4 film at the Howell, outlet mall, then drive on.
Smithfield and Selma are two adjacent Johnston County towns on I-95, about 30 minutes south of Raleigh. They are a road-trip pause, not a destination: a small museum pair, a 1920s movie house, an outlet mall and cheap interstate hotels. Most travellers see them in three to five hours between Raleigh and Fayetteville or the coast.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity)
- Airport
- RDU
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Smithfield-Selma911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Smithfield-Selma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-risk small towns; the real hazards are I-95 traffic, summer heat and the lack of pavements or lighting outside the two downtowns.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRDU Raleigh-Durham International (About 45–55 min by car via I-40 and I-95; no direct rail link.).
- Getting aroundA car is the only practical way: the two towns sit either side of I-95 and the sights are 3–6 km (1.9–3.7 mi) apart.A car is the only practical way: the two towns sit either side of I-95 and the sights are 1.9–3.7 mi (3–6 km) apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Ava Gardner Museum)check$7 adults, $6 seniors/students/military, $5 children
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedInterstate motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedInterstate motel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International (About 45–55 min by car via I-40 and I-95; no direct rail link.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Smithfield-Selma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the only practical way: the two towns sit either side of I-95 and the sights are 3–6 km apart. Selma has an Amtrak stop (Carolinian and Palmetto) but no local buses, so arriving by train leaves you walking or calling a taxi. Greyhound stops on the Smithfield outskirts at 2104 S Brightleaf Blvd.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
US 70 west, about 30 min by car
State museums and a full evening of food; the reason most people are on this road.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-40 west via Raleigh, about 50 min
Better as its own base than a day trip from here.
Door to door: About 1 h 20 min
I-40 west then NC 86, about 1 h 10 min
Small historic town; pair it with Durham rather than driving out and back.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
US 64 west then US 15-501, about 1 h 15 min
Long for a return trip; stop on the way to Chapel Hill instead.
Door to door: About 1 h
US 301 south then US 1, about 45 min
Useful only if you are already heading southwest.
Fayetteville
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-95 south, about 45 min
The next real stop south on I-95; continue rather than return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-95 exit 95 (Industrial Park Dr)
Chain motels and the outlet mall; the practical choice for one night with a car.
Uptown Selma
Small historic core near the Amtrak station; a few independent stays, quiet at night.
Downtown Smithfield
Walkable to both Market Street museums and the Howell Theatre; limited rooms.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Interstate motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$65 · check | US$65 |
| Fuel, Raleigh return, about 90 km1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$241 per person per day, bed included | US$481 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Museum entry (Ava Gardner Museum)check | $7 adults, $6 seniors/students/military, $5 children |
| Movie ticket at the Howell Theatrecheck | $4, $2.50 matinees |
| Casual Mexican plate | $10–18 |
| Interstate motel double, one nightPlus tax; rates jump on race and graduation weekends. | $70–180 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Without a car you are stranded: no local bus network, taxis are call-only.
- Summer afternoons are hot and humid; plan museum time for midday.
- Small museums keep short, odd hours — check before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Smithfield-SelmaSmithfield-Selma
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates and embassies are in Washington, DC and Atlanta (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak Selma → Raleigh: about $8–12, roughly 30–40 min (check)
- Amtrak Selma → Washington, DC: about $60–110, roughly 5–6 h (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Smithfield → Selma: about $12–20 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the Amtrak station? — Where is the Amtrak station?
- Is this the road to I-95? — Is this the road to I-95?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Do you have a table for two? — Do you have a table for two?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
English is the only language you need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Smithfield-Selma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RDU: last sensible departure time, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung at exit 95.
- Walking cluster for downtown Smithfield: both Market Street museums and the Howell Theatre within 5 minutes on foot.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Ava Gardner Museum, Johnston County Heritage Center and Max G. Creech Historical Museum.
- Hostile arrival fixtures: late-night I-95 arrival, no-car arrival by Amtrak, and a Sunday when the small museums are shut.
Sources
- officialJohnston County Visitors Bureau
- officialAva Gardner Museum
- officialAmtrak
- secondaryWikivoyage: Smithfield-Selma, revision 4976086 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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