How far is Durham, NC from Clayton, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Clayton, NC is about 42 miles (67.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 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 Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Clayton.
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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
4 mi · 5 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Garner, Smithfield, Goldsboro
894 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 70 East: Smithfield
1.2 mi · 3 min
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14
Turn straight onto Goldsboro Highway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Goldsboro Highway
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15
Continue on Clayton Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Clayton Boulevard
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16
Turn slight right
819 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left
35 m · 9 sec
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18
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
75 m · 8 sec · Veterans Parkway
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19
Continue on South Lombard Street
2602 ft · 2 min · South Lombard Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lombard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Clayton.
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
Keep slight left
9.48 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Clayton?
The road trip is about 42 miles (67.6 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Cary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21 miles from Durham and 21 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 4:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.86 one way or $11.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Clayton.
Stop Ideas Near Cary
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cary.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 34.3 mi (55.2 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 Clayton
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 26,458 |
| Coordinates | 35.6507100, -78.4563900 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-78.45639, 35.65071)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.86 | $11.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.55 | $13.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $8.32 | $16.65 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.