How far is Durham, NC from Hillsborough, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Hillsborough, NC is about 14 miles (22.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.6 miles (20.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 20m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 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 Hillsborough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Hillsborough.
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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
-
4
Take the ramp straight
154 m · 13 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
5 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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6
Merge slight left
6.5 mi · 7 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NC 86: Hillsborough, Chapel Hill
1313 ft · 35 sec
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8
Turn right onto State Highway 86
2505 ft · 55 sec · State Highway 86
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9
Turn left
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Continue on South Churton Street
1870 ft · 1 min · South Churton Street
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11
Turn left onto West King Street
29 m · 4 sec · West King Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Hillsborough.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Durham Freeway
Merge slight left
6.49 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Hillsborough?
The road trip is about 14 miles (22.6 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carrboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from Durham and 7 miles from Hillsborough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.6 miles (20.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.94 one way or $3.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Stop Ideas Near Carrboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Durham County Inspections Department
The Town Hall Grill
Pompieri Pizza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carrboro.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 12.56 mi (20.22 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 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsborough (-79.09973, 36.07542)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $1.94 | $3.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.17 | $4.34 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $2.76 | $5.51 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.