How far is Durham, NC from Clinton, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Clinton, NC is about 88 miles (141.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 76.1 miles (122.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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
88.03 mi
01h 46m
Flight
76.05 mi
122.39 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
76.05 mi
Kilometers
122.39 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
88.03 mi
Kilometers
141.67 km
Drive Time
01h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clinton
Sun, Nov 8, 11:13 AM EST
Return by in Durham
Sun, Nov 8, 12:59 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-11-08T09:27
Arrive Clinton
Sun, Nov 8, 11:13 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EST

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

Leave by
2:58 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durham
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Clayton
NC

Town in North Carolina

From Durham
44.1 mi
00h 53m
To Clinton
44 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
1 to 6 mph W
Destination
68°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Nov 8 6:00 AM EST
Wind
0 to 3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    30 mi · 32 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 701: Clinton

    2520 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Hobbton Highway

    14.5 mi · 20 min · Hobbton Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Smithfield Road

    709 ft · 16 sec · Smithfield Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Dixon Street

    570 ft · 14 sec · Dixon Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Beaman Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Beaman Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Vance Street

    1229 ft · 39 sec · Vance Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Court Street

    65 m · 15 sec · Court Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Main Street

    3 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
49 mi · 56%
Hobbton Highway
14.5 mi · 17%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13.4 mi · 15%
Durham Freeway
6.51 mi · 7%
SR 42
1.74 mi · 2%
Beaman Street
1.1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

30 mi · 00h 32m

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 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
76.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clayton
00h 53m from Durham
Leave By
2:58 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Clinton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 88 miles (141.7 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?

Clayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.1 miles from Durham and 44 miles from Clinton.

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

The direct path is about 76.1 miles (122.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:58 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.32 one way or $20.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Clinton.

Stop Ideas Near Clayton

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 Clayton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 14.3 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 10.7 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.4 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Angier Police Department And Town Hall
Nearby stop 9.6 mi away

Angier Police Department And Town Hall

Angier , NC
55 N Broad St W, Angier, NC 27501
Rating 4.3/5 6 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clayton.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

21 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

22 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

28 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

33 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 76.05 mi (122.39 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Clinton

Clinton is a place in North Carolina, United States.

Population0
Coordinates34.9979500, -78.3233300
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Clinton (-78.32333, 34.99795)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 142 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.11 gal
11.76 L · about $10.32
Round trip
$20.63
6.22 gal · 23.52 L
Estimated CO2
27.6 kg one way
Round trip: 55.3 kg / 122 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.32 $10.32 $20.63
Mid-grade $3.77 $11.73 $23.46
Premium $4.20 $13.07 $26.14
Diesel $5.47 $17.00 $33.99

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Durham and Clinton. The current time is 09:27:14.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.