How far is Durham, NC from Apex, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Apex, NC is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.3 miles (29.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 26m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Apex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Apex.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
864 ft · 30 sec · South Dillard Street
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3
Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street
800 ft · 25 sec · East Pettigrew Street
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4
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
144 m · 22 sec · Fayetteville Road
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5
Take the ramp left
797 ft · 20 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Continue on Triangle Expressway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Triangle Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
1.1 km · 2 min
-
9
Continue on Triangle Expressway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Triangle Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right
894 ft · 22 sec
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11
Keep slight left
2055 ft · 50 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 East: Apex
1240 ft · 30 sec
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13
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55: Apex, Durham
1646 ft · 49 sec
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15
Turn right onto West Williams Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Williams Street
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16
Turn left onto Hunter Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Hunter Street
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17
Turn right onto North Salem Street
1179 ft · 40 sec · North Salem Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Salem Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Apex.
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.
Triangle Expressway
Continue on Triangle Expressway
7.22 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Apex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Apex?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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 Durham and 11.9 miles from Apex.
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 7:36 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 Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Apex.
Stop Ideas Near Morrisville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Apex. Straight-line distance: 18.26 mi (29.39 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Apex
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
| Population | 64,388 |
| Coordinates | 35.7326500, -78.8502900 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Salem Street (-78.850246, 35.73263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.