How far is Durham, NC from Elon, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Elon, NC is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.8 miles (56 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 48m.
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 Alamance County, 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 Elon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Elon.
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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
23.9 mi · 28 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NC 54: Graham, Chapel Hill
1360 ft · 37 sec
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8
Turn right onto East Harden Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Harden Street
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Harden Street
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11
Take the exit straight
5 mi · 7 min
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12
Turn left onto East Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · East Haggard Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Haggard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Elon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Durham Freeway
Merge slight left
23.9 mi · 00h 28m
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 Elon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Elon?
The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Mebane is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Durham and 19.1 miles from Elon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.8 miles (56 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.35 one way or $10.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Elon.
Stop Ideas Near Mebane
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Carrboro Town Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mebane.
Burlington
Durham
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Elon. Straight-line distance: 34.79 mi (55.99 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 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elon (-79.50669, 36.10291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.35 | $10.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $5.98 | $11.96 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $7.59 | $15.18 |
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.