How far is Durham, NC from Benson, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Benson, NC is about 57 miles (91.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.6 miles (75 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
57.04 mi
01h 08m
Flight
46.62 mi
75.03 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Durham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.62 mi
Kilometers
75.03 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.04 mi
Kilometers
91.79 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 01h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Benson
Wed, Apr 22, 11:48 PM EDT
Return by in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 12:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-22T22:40
Arrive Benson
Wed, Apr 22, 11:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durham
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Raleigh
NC

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

From Durham
28.5 mi
00h 34m
To Benson
28.5 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Dillard Street

    864 ft · 30 sec · South Dillard Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street

    800 ft · 25 sec · East Pettigrew Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Fayetteville Road

    144 m · 22 sec · Fayetteville Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    797 ft · 20 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    8.7 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    9.5 mi · 11 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward NC 242: Benson

    1439 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Wall Street

    2953 ft · 1 min · North Wall Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Wall Street

    53 m · 3 sec · North Wall Street

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto North Wall Street

    17 m · 2 sec · North Wall Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Wall Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Benson.

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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
31.2 mi · 55%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13.4 mi · 24%
Durham Freeway
6.51 mi · 11%
SR 42
1.74 mi · 3%
North Wall Street
0.6 mi · 1%
NC 242
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

12.2 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
46.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Raleigh
00h 34m from Durham
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Benson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 57 miles (91.8 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.5 miles from Durham and 28.5 miles from Benson.

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

The direct path is about 46.6 miles (75 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Benson.

Stop Ideas Near Raleigh

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 Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 11.9 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 3.6 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 12.7 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 9.5 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 Raleigh.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

1 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

13 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

35 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Benson. Straight-line distance: 46.62 mi (75.03 km).

Durham

#1 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
Benson

#2 Benson

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population4,024
Coordinates35.3821100, -78.5486200
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Benson (-78.54862, 35.38211)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.62 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.92
4.02 gal · 15.24 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.96 $15.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.90 $17.80
Premium $4.78 $9.60 $19.21
Diesel $5.62 $11.30 $22.61

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 Durham and Benson. The current time is 22:40:10.

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.