How far is Clayton, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Clayton, NC to Durham, NC is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m 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
41.72 mi
00h 43m
Flight
34.3 mi
55.2 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clayton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.3 mi
Kilometers
55.2 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.72 mi
Kilometers
67.14 km
Drive Time
00h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:38 AM EDT
Return by in Clayton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clayton
2026-04-23T01:54
Arrive Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Clayton
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
Cary
NC

Town in North Carolina, United States

From Clayton
20.8 mi
00h 21m
To Durham
20.9 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Lombard Street

    1999 ft · 1 min · North Lombard Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Hamby Street

    130 m · 16 sec · Hamby Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Barbour Street

    960 ft · 34 sec · Barbour Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Clayton Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Clayton Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West: Raleigh

    1.3 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

    14.4 mi · 17 min · Dan K Moore Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham

    1 km · 44 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    4.1 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 Clayton and Durham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dan K Moore Freeway
17.1 mi · 41%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.48 mi · 20%
Durham Freeway
6.72 mi · 16%
Clayton Boulevard
6.67 mi · 16%
I 40 West
0.81 mi · 2%
I 885 North
0.64 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dan K Moore Freeway

Continue on Dan K Moore Freeway

14.4 mi · 00h 17m

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 43m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
34.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cary
00h 21m from Clayton
Leave By
7:02 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clayton and Sunny near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?

Cary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.8 miles from Clayton and 20.9 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 7:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.82 one way or $11.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clayton and Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Cary

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 Cary and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 7.9 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 7.9 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 6.2 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
Town of Cary
Meeting point 2.8 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Cary

211 North Academy Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

12 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Durham

26 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Durham. Straight-line distance: 34.3 mi (55.2 km).

Clayton

#1 Clayton

Town in North Carolina

Population26,458
Coordinates35.6507100, -78.4563900
Altitude104
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 Lombard Street (-78.456401, 35.650719)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.47 gal
5.57 L · about $5.82
Round trip
$11.65
2.94 gal · 11.14 L
Estimated CO2
13.1 kg one way
Round trip: 26.1 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $5.82 $11.65
Mid-grade $4.43 $6.51 $13.02
Premium $4.78 $7.02 $14.05
Diesel $5.62 $8.27 $16.53

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

There is no time difference between Clayton and Durham. The current time is 01:54:42.

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.