How far is Durham, NC from Elm City, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Elm City, NC is about 74.6 miles (120 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 07m 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 01h 33m.
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.
City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Elm City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Elm City.
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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
2 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg
3051 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto East End Connector
1951 ft · 26 sec · East End Connector
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 East: Raleigh
2088 ft · 33 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto South Miami Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Miami Boulevard
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11
Continue on New Raleigh Highway
2.6 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway
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12
Continue on Glenwood Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 540: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
649 ft · 16 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 540 East: Wake Forest
1.6 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
21.2 mi · 23 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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16
Merge slight left
13.2 mi · 14 min
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17
Keep slight right
16.7 mi · 18 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 264 Alternate East: Wilson
1391 ft · 34 sec
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19
Turn straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
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20
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · Airport Boulevard
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21
Continue on Lake Wilson Road
5 mi · 9 min · Lake Wilson Road
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22
Continue on Tolsnot Street
155 m · 11 sec · Tolsnot Street
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23
Turn right onto West Main Street
2207 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
-
24
Turn left onto Parker Street
14 m · 1 sec · Parker Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Parker Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Elm 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
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
21.2 mi · 00h 23m
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 Elm City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Elm City?
The road trip is about 74.6 miles (120 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Knightdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Durham and 37.3 miles from Elm City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 3:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.42 one way or $20.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Elm City.
Stop Ideas Near Knightdale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Knightdale.
Raleigh Union Station
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Elm City. Straight-line distance: 59.37 mi (95.55 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 Elm City
City in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 35.8065500, -77.8633200 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm City (-77.86332, 35.80655)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 120 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.42 | $20.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.65 | $23.30 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.57 | $25.13 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.79 | $29.58 |
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.