How far is Durham, NC from Gastonia, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Gastonia, NC is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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 02h 26m.
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 and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Gastonia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Gastonia.
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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
40.6 mi · 47 min
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7
Keep slight right
7.7 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 7: East Gastonia
858 ft · 29 sec
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11
Turn right onto East Ozark Avenue
3206 ft · 1 min · East Ozark Avenue
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12
Continue on East Long Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East Long Avenue
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13
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1264 ft · 29 sec · North Broad Street
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14
Turn right onto East Franklin Boulevard
2639 ft · 55 sec · East Franklin Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Franklin Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Gastonia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 Business South
Keep slight left
99.4 mi · 01h 52m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Durham and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Gastonia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Gastonia?
The road trip is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Durham and 83.3 miles from Gastonia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 1:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Durham and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Gastonia.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Gastonia. Straight-line distance: 138.12 mi (222.28 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 Gastonia
The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina.
| Population | 77,640 |
| Coordinates | 35.2620800, -81.1873000 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Franklin Boulevard (-81.187301, 35.262154)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 263 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.85 | $45.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.56 | $51.11 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.45 | $64.90 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.