How far is Apex, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Apex, NC to Durham, NC is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
23.37 mi
00h 25m
Flight
18.26 mi
29.39 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Apex.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.26 mi
Kilometers
29.39 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.37 mi
Kilometers
37.61 km
Drive Time
00h 25m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Sat, May 2, 11:00 PM EDT
Return by in Apex
Sat, May 2, 11:25 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apex
2026-05-02T22:35
Arrive Durham
Sat, May 2, 11:00 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:25 AM to 7:25 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Apex
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Morrisville
NC

Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States

From Apex
11.4 mi
00h 12m
To Durham
11.9 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N
Destination
63°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Apex and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apex and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on North Salem Street

    117 m · 20 sec · North Salem Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Saunders Street

    2033 ft · 1 min · Saunders Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Chatham Street

    1652 ft · 44 sec · West Chatham Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Hunter Street

    90 m · 9 sec · Hunter Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Williams Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 64 West

    1271 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll North

    2731 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

    7.5 mi · 8 min · Triangle Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham

    1.5 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Triangle Expressway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Durham Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street

    769 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Apex and Durham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
76.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Triangle Expressway
10.6 mi · 45%
Durham Freeway
7.25 mi · 31%
West Williams Street
1.19 mi · 5%
US 64 West
1 mi · 4%
NC 885 Toll North
0.93 mi · 4%
NC 540 Toll North
0.52 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Triangle Expressway

Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway

7.5 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 25m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.1 mi
18.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morrisville
00h 12m from Apex
Leave By
7:40 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Apex and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Apex to Durham?

The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from Apex and 11.9 miles from Durham.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.25 one way or $6.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Apex and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Morrisville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Morrisville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Food stop 6.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham

Durham , NC
7830 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Rating 4.5/5 1,265 reviews Hamburger restaurant,Bar,Bar & grill,Takeout Restaurant,Sandwich shop,Sports bar
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 2.8 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Holly Springs Town Hall
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

Holly Springs Town Hall

Holly Springs , NC
128 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.9/5 7 reviews City government office,Local government office
The Town Hall Grill
Nearby stop 11.7 mi away

The Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill , NC
410 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rating 4.2/5 302 reviews Bar & grill

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.

RAIL

Cary

6 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

11 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

17 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

21 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apex and Durham. Straight-line distance: 18.26 mi (29.39 km).

Apex

#1 Apex

The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.

Population64,388
Coordinates35.7326500, -78.8502900
Altitude152
CountryUnited States
Durham

#2 Durham

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.

Population285,897
Coordinates35.9940300, -78.8986200
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Start: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 38 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.82 gal
3.12 L · about $3.25
Round trip
$6.50
1.64 gal · 6.24 L
Estimated CO2
7.3 kg one way
Round trip: 14.6 kg / 32 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $3.25 $6.50
Mid-grade $4.43 $3.63 $7.26
Premium $4.78 $3.92 $7.84
Diesel $5.62 $4.61 $9.22

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Carolina · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Apex and Durham. The current time is 22:35:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.