Transportation, Commute & Infrastructure in Knightdale, NC: What Buyers & Sellers Need to Know

Transportation, Commute & Infrastructure in Knightdale, NC: What Buyers & Sellers Need to Know

One of the first questions a prospective homebuyer in Knightdale asks is: “How long will my commute be to Raleigh, to work, or to the Triangle’s major job centers?” That question is central to how people value homes, choose neighborhoods, or decide whether to live farther out. Meanwhile, infrastructure—roads, transit, planned extensions—shapes not only daily life but property values over time.

In this article, we examine Knightdale’s existing transportation network, commuting realities, planned improvements, and how these factors influence real estate decisions. We also highlight how a Realtor attuned to infrastructure trends can guide smarter buying and selling.

Existing Infrastructure & Commute Options

Major Roads & Highway Access

• Knightdale sits at a strategic intersection of several major corridors: Interstate 540 (I-540) passes directly through the town, linking to Raleigh’s outer belt. Town of Knightdale, NC+2Wikipedia+2
  
  

• The town also intersects with Interstate 87 / U.S. 64 / U.S. 264 bypasses on the southern edge. Wikipedia+1
  
  

• Local arterial roads like Poole Road, Hodge Road, Smithfield Road, and U.S. 64 Business (Knightdale Blvd) provide connectivity to adjacent areas.
  
  

• Knightdale’s transportation page lists approximate travel times from town:
  • Downtown Raleigh: 15 minutes
  • N.C. State University: 20 minutes
  • RDU Airport: 30 minutes
  • Research Triangle Park: 25 minutes Town of Knightdale, NC
  
  

These nominal travel times are ideal conditions; actual commute times often stretch during peak traffic. But the underlying infrastructure gives Knightdale a strong advantage: being close to loops and bypasses.

Commute Patterns & Average Times

• According to DataUSA, the average commute in Knightdale is about 26 minutes, with most people driving alone. Data USA
  
  

• Car ownership is typical—about 2 vehicles per household—so private transportation is the default. Data USA
  
  

• Because Raleigh’s average commute is ~23.6 minutes (for those in Raleigh proper), Knightdale’s extra few minutes reflect the suburban edge premium. Raleigh Realty+1
  
  

• Anecdotal commentary in local forums suggests people expect 30–40 minute commutes when commuting to RTP or farther job zones from Knightdale. Reddit
  
  

In practice, many commuters from Knightdale accept that driving is the daily mode; public transit in Knightdale is currently limited.

Transit Options

• The Triangle Transit Authority operates the Knightdale–Raleigh Express (KRX) bus route, connecting Knightdale commuters to Raleigh and linking with municipal transit systems in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Wikipedia
  
  

• However, for many jobs in RTP or farther, the bus option may not offer competitive door-to-door time.
  
  

• Within Knightdale, attempts to improve pedestrian connectivity are underway: the town has published a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan to provide safer walking environments, sidewalks, crossings, and connectivity across subdivisions. connect.ncdot.gov
  
  

Because transit is limited, most residents plan for driving, which makes road capacity, congestion, and road design critical.

Traffic, Bottlenecks & Known Issues

Even with good highway access, certain choke points can degrade the commute:

• Intersection of Poole Road & Grasshopper Road is slated for improvements: widening, addition of turning lanes, improved drainage, curb/gutter work, and signal modifications to relieve congestion and improve safety. WRAL.com
  
  

• Poole Road at HL-0133B is under consideration for intersection upgrades—turn lanes, improved geometry, signal changes, and stormwater/drainage upgrades are proposed. PublicInput
  
  

• Within the town, traffic ingress and egress from new subdivisions often meet local street capacity limits, creating backups in peak periods.
  
  

Local infrastructure maintenance is also ongoing: Knightdale has an FY26 road resurfacing project to mill, patch, overlay, and repair numerous streets to preserve road quality and safety. highergov.com

Such efforts help maintain smooth flow, but major expansions or capacity increases are needed to keep pace with growth.

Planned / Proposed Infrastructure Projects

Some key projects are poised to reshape Knightdale’s transportation landscape over the coming years:

Complete 540 (Eastern Extension)

• The Complete 540 project aims to close the loop of the Raleigh outer expressway by extending the Triangle Expressway / NC 540 from Apex eastwards and tying into the I-87 / US 64 / US 264 interchange in Knightdale. ncdot.gov
  
  

• Phase 1 of the extension is already active. Phase 2 will extend the corridor further east to complete the loop. ncdot.gov
  
  

• Completion is scheduled for 2028. ncdot.gov
  
  

This extension will provide a higher-capacity bypass route around Raleigh and may relieve traffic on I-540, U.S. 64, and local roads, improving access for eastern Knightdale subdivisions.

Local Intersection & Road Improvements

• The Poole/Grasshopper intersection widening project will help manage turning volumes, reduce delays for local residents, and make ingress/egress safer. WRAL.com
  
  

• The HL-0133B Poole Road intersection improvement further targets congestion and vehicle movement at a bottleneck spot. PublicInput
  
  

• On the development side, the Knightdale Gateway Park project includes significant road improvements along with site preparation. Choate Construction
  
  

• The town’s Development Projects list shows multiple proposed and under-construction projects that include road and infrastructure components. Town of Knightdale, NC+1
  
  

• Town’s Pedestrian Plan also envisions safer sidewalks, crosswalks, and connectivity improvements across neighborhoods. connect.ncdot.gov
  
  

Over time, these incremental improvements will help relieve pressure on collector roads and improve local mobility.

Impact on Real Estate & Property Value

Transportation and infrastructure shape real estate value in many ways:

1. Proximity to major corridors commands premium
   Homes closer to I-540 interchanges or well-connected arterials often sell at a premium due to easier access.
   
   

2. Future infrastructure projects can drive speculative value
   Areas slated for improved roads or access often outpace areas lacking such promise.
   
   

3. Areas without good access tend to lag in demand
   Subdivisions built in fringe zones with poor road planning may experience slower appreciation or more traffic pain.
   
   

4. Commute convenience vs. noise / traffic tradeoffs
   Homes near major roads benefit from access—but also suffer from noise or cut-through traffic. Realtors must help buyers balance that.
   
   

5. Infrastructure readiness influences pace of development
   Builders prefer land parcels where utilities, roads, turn lanes, and access are already or soon-to-be in place.
   
   

6. Pedestrian & greenway connectivity adds lifestyle value
   Trails, sidewalks, and bike connections (e.g. Mingo Creek to Neuse River Greenway) enhance neighborhood attractiveness. Knightdale lies along the Neuse River Greenway system. Wikipedia+1
   
   

In short, infrastructure is baked into the long-term value proposition of any Knightdale property.

How a Realtor Uses Infrastructure Insight

A Realtor with local infrastructure acumen adds major strategic advantages:

• Educating buyers on “future convenience”
  They can show planned road expansions, new interchanges, or corridor improvements that will reduce future travel time.
  
  

• Pricing premium access zones appropriately
  They adjust valuations up or down based on infrastructure proximity and projected changes.
  
  

• Timing purchase before improvements
  Buying before major improvements are completed can yield upside gains if access improves.
  
  

• Avoiding mispriced “bad access” properties
  A Realtor may steer buyers away from parcels that look cheap but suffer from poor ingress/egress or lack of connectivity.
  
  

• Negotiating infrastructure allowances or seller concessions
  In deals, a Realtor might negotiate road impact payments, access easements, or phasing of infrastructure obligations.
  
  

• Community advocacy and planning awareness
  Realtors involved in town or MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) processes can shape or stay ahead of infrastructure planning—giving clients foreknowledge.
  
  

• Mapping and overlay tools
  Realtors often use GIS mapping to overlay traffic projections, road plans, zoning, and value trends to show clients comparative value.
  
  

Overall, infrastructure insight is a core capability a high-performing Knightdale Realtor should bring.

Local Case / Hypothetical Example

Suppose a developer owns a 40-acre tract east of Knightdale, near Hodge Road, currently with only a narrow two-lane access. At present, that tract yields modest lot value. But knowing that Complete 540 will extend near that area, and that Poole Road intersection improvements are queued, the developer and Realtor price in a future access premium. They may subdivide in phases, sell earlier lots near future roads at a premium, and time the build-out to match road completion. Buyers snapping up early phases benefit from improved access before everyone else.

Likewise, buyers may pay more for a home near anticipated intersection upgrades (Poole/Grasshopper) versus a similar home farther away with no planned access. This ahead-of-plan insight often separates smart buyers from reactive ones.

Advice for Buyers & Sellers in Knightdale

For Buyers:

• Evaluate commute time in both directions (morning inbound, evening outbound).
  
  

• Ask your Realtor for traffic heatmaps (peak hour flows) in your desired neighborhood.
  
  

• Review future infrastructure maps (publicly available via town or NCDOT).
  
  

• Don’t pay full price in zones without good access plans.
  
  

• Seek homes close to interchanges or main arterials—but assess noise and traffic tradeoffs.
  
  

• Ask whether a route will get a road upgrade or intersection improvement soon.
  
  

For Sellers:

• Highlight your home’s access advantages in marketing materials (e.g. “minutes to I-540,” “future intersection upgrade nearby”).
  
  

• If your property lies near planned road expansion, make that part of your narrative (value-increasing).
  
  

• If road improvements are imminent, consider timing your listing to ride the infrastructure buzz cycle.
  
  

• Use overlays and maps in the listing to show route options, proximity to highways, and future roads.
  
  

• Ensure that your ingress/egress is optimal—if your driveway intersection is awkward, fix or negotiate improvements before listing.
  
  

Conclusion

Transportation, commute, and infrastructure aren’t just logistics—they’re foundational elements of real estate value, demand, and livability. In Knightdale, infrastructure is evolving: the completion of the Complete 540 extension, intersection upgrades on Poole Road/Grasshopper Road, local resurfacing efforts, and pedestrian connectivity plans all influence how neighborhoods grow and appreciate.

If you’re buying or selling in Knightdale, work with a Realtor who tracks infrastructure projects, traffic plans, and planning maps—not just property comps. That realtor becomes your navigation guide through both the present commute realities and the future value runway.

Ready to discuss your real estate needs? Contact Be Sunshine Realty Group Brokered by EXP today for a confidential consultation. Call (919) 583-6895 or visit www.livinginraleighnow.com to connect with Raleigh Triangle's most trusted real estate team.