How far is Durham, NC from Carolina Beach, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Carolina Beach, NC is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 25m 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 12m.
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.
Township in Duplin County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Carolina Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Carolina Beach.
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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
6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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8
Merge slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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10
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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15
Continue on North College Road
9.4 mi · 16 min · North College Road
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16
Continue on Carolina Beach Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Carolina Beach Road
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17
Continue on North Lake Park Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Lake Park Boulevard
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18
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Carolina Beach.
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 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
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 Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Carolina Beach?
The road trip is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?
Faison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.9 miles from Durham and 82.7 miles from Carolina Beach.
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 18.8 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 10:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.13 one way or $46.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carolina Beach.
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 Durham and Carolina Beach. Straight-line distance: 146.81 mi (236.26 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 Carolina Beach
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,369 |
| Coordinates | 34.0351700, -77.8936000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carolina Beach (-77.8936, 34.03517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.13 | $46.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.87 | $51.73 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.90 | $55.81 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.84 | $65.69 |
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.