How far is Durham, NC from Franklin, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Franklin, NC is about 107.2 miles (172.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
107.22 mi
02h 08m
Flight
91.58 mi
147.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Durham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.58 mi
Kilometers
147.38 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
107.22 mi
Kilometers
172.55 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Sat, May 30, 3:47 PM EDT
Return by in Durham
Sat, May 30, 5:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-05-30T13:39
Arrive Franklin
Sat, May 30, 3:47 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durham
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Greensboro
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.

From Durham
53.6 mi
01h 04m
To Franklin
53.7 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
81°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Franklin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    700 ft · 24 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Mangum Street

    1691 ft · 48 sec · South Mangum Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Jackie Robinson Drive

    65 m · 7 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    154 m · 13 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    5 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    40.6 mi · 47 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    42.1 mi · 45 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 South: Salisbury, Albemarle

    768 ft · 19 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Salisbury, Downtown

    733 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto East Innes Street

    3041 ft · 1 min · East Innes Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Long Street

    1344 ft · 44 sec · North Long Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Kerr Street

    2754 ft · 1 min · East Kerr Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Fulton Street

    135 m · 17 sec · North Fulton Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Cemetery Street

    917 ft · 25 sec · West Cemetery Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Mocksville Avenue

    2777 ft · 1 min · Mocksville Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Mahaley Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Mahaley Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Innes Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Innes Street

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    1.4 km · 1 min

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Franklin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Durham Freeway
53.3 mi · 50%
I 85 Business South
47.5 mi · 44%
West Innes Street
2.73 mi · 3%
Mahaley Avenue
0.73 mi · 1%
East Innes Street
0.58 mi · 1%
Mocksville Avenue
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

I 85 Business South

Keep slight left

42.1 mi · 00h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.6 mi
91.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greensboro
01h 04m from Durham
Leave By
2:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Durham and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Durham to Franklin?

The road trip is about 107.2 miles (172.5 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?

Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.6 miles from Durham and 53.7 miles from Franklin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 2:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.97 one way or $29.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Durham and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.

Stop Ideas Near Greensboro

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greensboro, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greensboro.

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

4 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

23 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

32 mi away
101 North Main Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

39 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 91.58 mi (147.38 km).

Durham

#1 Durham

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.

Population285,897
Coordinates35.9940300, -78.8986200
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population3,619
Coordinates35.7212500, -80.4989500
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Franklin (-80.49895, 35.72125)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 173 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.78 gal
14.32 L · about $14.97
Round trip
$29.95
7.56 gal · 28.64 L
Estimated CO2
33.6 kg one way
Round trip: 67.2 kg / 148 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.97 $29.95
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.74 $33.48
Premium $4.78 $18.06 $36.12
Diesel $5.62 $21.26 $42.52

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Durham and Franklin. The current time is 13:39:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.