How far is Durham, NC from Elizabeth City, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Elizabeth City, NC is about 187.5 miles (301.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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 42m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Elizabeth City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Elizabeth City.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street
-
2
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
864 ft · 30 sec · South Dillard Street
-
3
Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street
800 ft · 25 sec · East Pettigrew Street
-
4
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
144 m · 22 sec · Fayetteville Road
-
5
Take the ramp left
797 ft · 20 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
2 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg
3051 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto East End Connector
1951 ft · 26 sec · East End Connector
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 East: Raleigh
2088 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto South Miami Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Miami Boulevard
-
11
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
-
12
Continue on Glenwood Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 540: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
649 ft · 16 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 540 East: Wake Forest
1.6 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
21.2 mi · 23 min · Northern Wake Expressway
-
16
Merge slight left
13.2 mi · 14 min
-
17
Keep slight left
80 mi · 1 hr 27 min
-
18
Continue straight
40 mi · 50 min
-
19
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 23 min
-
20
Keep slight right
5.1 mi · 6 min
-
21
Turn left onto Providence Road
783 ft · 34 sec · Providence Road
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Elizabeth City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Northern Wake Expressway
Keep slight left
80 mi · 01h 27m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elizabeth City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Elizabeth City?
The road trip is about 187.5 miles (301.7 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Princeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.6 miles from Durham and 93.8 miles from Elizabeth City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 9:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.22 one way or $52.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elizabeth City.
Stop Ideas Near Princeville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Town Hall
Rocky Mount Public Utilities
Hammond & City Hall - Westbound
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Princeville.
Rocky Mount
Greenville, NC
Wilson
Goldsboro, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Elizabeth City. Straight-line distance: 149.17 mi (240.06 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 Elizabeth City
City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina
| Population | 17,988 |
| Coordinates | 36.2946000, -76.2510500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elizabeth City (-76.25105, 36.2946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.22 | $52.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.63 | $63.26 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.23 | $74.46 |
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.