How far is Canton, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Canton, NC to Durham, NC is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.1 miles (359 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iredell County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Canton and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canton and Durham.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Church Street
1161 ft · 51 sec · Church Street
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3
Continue on Ashville Highway
763 ft · 19 sec · Ashville Highway
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4
Continue on Asheville Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Asheville Highway
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5
Continue on Smokey Park Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Smokey Park Highway
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6
Turn left onto Wiggins Road
60 m · 5 sec · Wiggins Road
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7
Take the ramp right
1155 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
173.7 mi · 3 hr 20 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7.8 mi · 10 min
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10
Merge slight right
1.8 mi · 2 min
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11
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
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15
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
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17
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Canton 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.
Andrew Jackson Highway
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
174 mi · 03h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Clear leaving Canton and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Canton to Durham?
The road trip is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km) and usually takes 03h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Statesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120 miles from Canton and 120.3 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.1 miles (359 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.59 one way or $67.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Canton and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Statesville
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 Statesville.
Kannapolis
Salisbury
Lexington
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Canton and Durham. Straight-line distance: 223.1 mi (359.04 km).
#1 Canton
Town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,369 |
| Coordinates | 35.5328800, -82.8373600 |
| Altitude | 797 |
| 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: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $33.59 | $67.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $37.56 | $75.12 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $40.52 | $81.03 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $47.69 | $95.38 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.