How far is Durham, NC from Bessemer City, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Bessemer City, NC is about 167 miles (268.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m 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 14m.
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 and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Bessemer City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Bessemer City.
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1
Start on East Main Street
700 ft · 24 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South Mangum Street
1691 ft · 48 sec · South Mangum Street
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3
Turn right onto Jackie Robinson Drive
65 m · 7 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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4
Take the ramp straight
154 m · 13 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
5 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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6
Merge slight left
40.6 mi · 47 min
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7
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left
105.3 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Edgewood Road, Bessemer City
1582 ft · 39 sec
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11
Turn right onto Edgewood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Edgewood Road
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12
Continue on Athenia Place
1385 ft · 28 sec · Athenia Place
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13
Continue on East Alabama Avenue
1407 ft · 30 sec · East Alabama Avenue
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14
Turn right onto South 8th Street
660 ft · 21 sec · South 8th Street
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15
Turn left onto East Virginia Avenue
2638 ft · 49 sec · East Virginia Avenue
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16
Turn right onto North 12th Street
13 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Bessemer City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
105 mi · 01h 59m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Durham and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Bessemer City?
The road trip is about 167 miles (268.7 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.4 miles from Durham and 83.6 miles from Bessemer City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.33 one way or $46.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Chance Rain Showers near Bessemer City.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Bessemer City. Straight-line distance: 142.62 mi (229.52 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 Bessemer City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,577 |
| Coordinates | 35.2848600, -81.2839700 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bessemer City (-81.28397, 35.28486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 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 | $23.33 | $46.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.09 | $52.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.14 | $56.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.13 | $66.25 |
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.