How far is Durham, NC from Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Lake Waccamaw, NC is about 152 miles (244.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m 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 12m.
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.
City in Cumberland 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 Lake Waccamaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Lake Waccamaw.
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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 left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
14.4 mi · 15 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
3110 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
25.3 mi · 29 min
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17
Keep slight left
6.1 mi · 7 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward NC 53, NC 210: Fayetteville
1419 ft · 35 sec
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19
Keep slight left
52 m · 6 sec
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20
Turn left onto Cedar Creek Road
7.3 mi · 11 min · Cedar Creek Road
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21
Continue on Cedar Creek Road
23.7 mi · 33 min · Cedar Creek Road
-
22
Turn right
3.5 mi · 6 min
-
23
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 13 min
-
24
Turn left
33 m · 2 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto James B White Highway
881 ft · 15 sec · James B White Highway
-
26
Turn right onto Red Hill Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Red Hill Road
-
27
Continue on Red Hill Road
7.6 mi · 10 min · Red Hill Road
-
28
Continue straight
675 ft · 17 sec
-
29
Turn left
2029 ft · 50 sec
-
30
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
31
Take the exit slight right
2213 ft · 54 sec
-
32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chauncey Town Road
6 m · 1 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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33
Exit the roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road
2216 ft · 50 sec · Chauncey Town Road
-
34
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sam Potts Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
-
35
Turn right onto Pecan Lane
1064 ft · 48 sec · Pecan Lane
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36
Turn right onto West Oak Street
11 m · 2 sec · West Oak Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Lake Waccamaw.
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-95 South
Merge slight left
25.3 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.
Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Lake Waccamaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Lake Waccamaw?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.6 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?
Wade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.1 miles from Durham and 75.9 miles from Lake Waccamaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 10:36 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Lake Waccamaw.
Stop Ideas Near Wade
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 Wade.
Fayetteville
Selma–Smithfield
Southern Pines
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Lake Waccamaw. Straight-line distance: 117.9 mi (189.74 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 Lake Waccamaw
Town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,392 |
| Coordinates | 34.3190600, -78.5000100 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Waccamaw (-78.50001, 34.31906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.74 | $47.48 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.61 | $51.22 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.14 | $60.29 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.