How far is Bessemer City, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Bessemer City, NC to Durham, NC is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 39m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bessemer City and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bessemer City and Durham.
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1
Start on North 12th Street
13 m · 9 sec · North 12th Street
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2
Turn left onto East Virginia Avenue
2638 ft · 49 sec · East Virginia Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South 8th Street
660 ft · 19 sec · South 8th Street
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4
Turn left onto East Alabama Avenue
1407 ft · 28 sec · East Alabama Avenue
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5
Continue on Athenia Place
1385 ft · 28 sec · Athenia Place
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6
Continue on Edgewood Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Edgewood Road
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 85 North: Charlotte
1165 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
14.4 mi · 17 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
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9
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
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16
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
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18
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bessemer City and Durham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Bessemer City 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 Bessemer City to Durham?
The road trip is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km) and usually takes 02h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Bessemer City and 84.9 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.53 one way or $47.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Bessemer City and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bessemer City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 142.62 mi (229.52 km).
#1 Bessemer City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,577 |
| Coordinates | 35.2848600, -81.2839700 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Durham
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
| Population | 285,897 |
| Coordinates | 35.9940300, -78.8986200 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.53 | $47.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.31 | $52.62 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.38 | $56.76 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.41 | $66.81 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.