How far is Durham, NC from Hickory, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Hickory, NC is about 150.2 miles (241.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.9 miles (222 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 57m.
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.
Human settlement in Davidson 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 Hickory.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Hickory.
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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
-
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 right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
80.8 mi · 1 hr 32 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Hickory, Lenoir-Rhyne College
2014 ft · 49 sec
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11
Turn right onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast
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12
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Southeast
1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue Southeast
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13
Turn right onto 3rd Street Southwest
106 m · 15 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
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14
Continue on 3rd Street Northwest
127 m · 21 sec · 3rd Street Northwest
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15
Turn right onto Trade Alley
103 m · 30 sec · Trade Alley
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16
Turn left
47 m · 11 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Hickory.
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 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
80.8 mi · 01h 32m
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 Hickory.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Hickory?
The road trip is about 150.2 miles (241.7 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Wallburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75 miles from Durham and 75.2 miles from Hickory.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.9 miles (222 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.99 one way or $41.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Hickory.
Stop Ideas Near Wallburg
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 Wallburg.
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
High Point
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Lexington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Hickory. Straight-line distance: 137.95 mi (222.01 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 Hickory
The second-largest city in Catawba County, North Carolina.
| Population | 41,473 |
| Coordinates | 35.7331900, -81.3412000 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hickory (-81.3412, 35.73319)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 242 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.99 | $41.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.47 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.32 | $50.65 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $29.81 | $59.61 |
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.