How far is Durham, NC from Carrboro, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Carrboro, NC is about 12.4 miles (19.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m 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 27m.
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 and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Carrboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Carrboro.
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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
2790 ft · 1 min · South Mangum Street
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3
Turn right onto West Lakewood Avenue
1512 ft · 39 sec · West Lakewood Avenue
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4
Continue on University Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · University Drive
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5
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 9 min
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6
Continue on Fordham Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fordham Boulevard
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7
Turn slight right onto East Franklin Street
2.5 mi · 6 min · East Franklin Street
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8
Turn right onto Hillsborough Street
112 m · 20 sec · Hillsborough Street
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9
Turn left onto East Rosemary Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East Rosemary Street
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10
Turn straight onto East Main Street
2308 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
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11
Continue on West Main Street
21 m · 2 sec · West Main Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Carrboro.
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.
University Drive
Continue straight
4.95 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Carrboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Carrboro?
The road trip is about 12.4 miles (19.9 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?
Hillsborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.2 miles from Durham and 6.2 miles from Carrboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 $1.74 one way or $3.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Carrboro.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsborough
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
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsborough.
Durham
Burlington
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Carrboro. Straight-line distance: 11.46 mi (18.44 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 Carrboro
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 21,239 |
| Coordinates | 35.9101400, -79.0752900 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carrboro (-79.07529, 35.91014)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.74 | $3.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $1.95 | $3.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.10 | $4.20 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.47 | $4.95 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.