How far is Durham, NC from Emerald Isle, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Emerald Isle, NC is about 177.3 miles (285.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Town in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Emerald Isle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Emerald Isle.
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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
6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
1.3 km · 58 sec
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8
Merge slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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10
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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13
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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14
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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15
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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16
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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17
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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18
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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19
Continue on East New Bern Road
26.5 mi · 29 min · East New Bern Road
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20
Take the exit slight right
2601 ft · 49 sec
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21
Merge slight left
16 mi · 18 min
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22
Take the exit slight left toward US 17 Business South, NC 58 South: Maysville, Emerald Isle
1.3 mi · 3 min
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23
Turn left onto Eighth Street
20.8 mi · 31 min · Eighth Street
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Emerald Drive
29 m · 2 sec · Emerald Drive
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25
Exit the rotary onto Emerald Drive
5.9 mi · 10 min · Emerald Drive
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Emerald Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Emerald Isle.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East New Bern Road
Continue on East New Bern Road
26.5 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Emerald Isle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Emerald Isle?
The road trip is about 177.3 miles (285.3 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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?
La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.6 miles from Durham and 88.7 miles from Emerald Isle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 9:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.80 one way or $49.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Emerald Isle.
Stop Ideas Near La Grange
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 La Grange.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Emerald Isle. Straight-line distance: 142.55 mi (229.41 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 Emerald Isle
Town in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 3,676 |
| Coordinates | 34.6779400, -76.9507800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emerald Isle (-76.95078, 34.67794)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.80 | $49.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.73 | $55.45 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.21 | $70.41 |
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.