How far is Carolina Beach, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Carolina Beach, NC to Durham, NC is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m 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 40m.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carolina Beach and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carolina Beach and Durham.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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3
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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4
Continue on South College Road
9.3 mi · 16 min · South College Road
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5
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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6
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 38 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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11
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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12
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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13
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carolina Beach 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.
Michael Jordan Highway
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carolina Beach 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 Carolina Beach to Durham?
The road trip is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Carolina Beach and 83 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 1:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.17 one way or $46.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carolina Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Faison
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 Faison.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Kinston, NC
Fayetteville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carolina Beach and Durham. Straight-line distance: 146.81 mi (236.26 km).
#1 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.91 | $51.82 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.90 | $65.80 |
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.