How far is Durham, NC from Drexel, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Drexel, NC is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m 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 18m.
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.
The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
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 Drexel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Drexel.
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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 right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
95.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Valdese
579 ft · 15 sec
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11
Turn left onto Abees Grove Church Road
1157 ft · 35 sec · Abees Grove Church Road
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12
Turn sharp left onto Carolina Street Southeast
117 m · 12 sec · Carolina Street Southeast
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13
Turn right onto Flat Gap Road
2398 ft · 59 sec · Flat Gap Road
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14
Turn right onto Jacumin Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Jacumin Road
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15
Continue on Messer Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Messer Road
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16
Turn left
2284 ft · 44 sec
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17
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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18
Turn right onto Mimosa Avenue
17 m · 3 sec · Mimosa Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mimosa Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Drexel.
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 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
95.5 mi · 01h 49m
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.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Drexel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Drexel?
The road trip is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Winston-Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Durham and 83.8 miles from Drexel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.37 one way or $46.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Drexel.
Stop Ideas Near Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
High Point
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Drexel. Straight-line distance: 152.35 mi (245.18 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 Drexel
Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,861 |
| Coordinates | 35.7579100, -81.6042600 |
| Altitude | 364 |
| Country | United States |
End: Drexel (-81.60426, 35.75791)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.37 | $46.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.13 | $52.26 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.18 | $66.36 |
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.