How far is Durham, NC from Lillington, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Lillington, NC is about 47.5 miles (76.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 12m 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 01h 06m.
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.
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
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 Lillington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Lillington.
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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
6.7 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Continue on Triangle Expressway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Triangle Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
1.1 km · 2 min
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9
Continue on Triangle Expressway
13.1 mi · 14 min · Triangle Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 55 East: Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina
2086 ft · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 6 min
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12
Turn right onto South Main Street
2405 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on Piney Grove-Wilbon Road
6 mi · 10 min · Piney Grove-Wilbon Road
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14
Continue on Piney Grove-Rawls Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Piney Grove-Rawls Road
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15
Merge slight left
8.8 mi · 13 min
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16
Turn right onto McKinney Parkway
1.3 km · 2 min · McKinney Parkway
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17
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on South Main Street
83 m · 22 sec · South Main Street
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19
Turn right
4 m · 1 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Lillington.
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.
Triangle Expressway
Continue on Triangle Expressway
13.1 mi · 00h 14m
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 Lillington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Lillington?
The road trip is about 47.5 miles (76.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Apex is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.8 miles from Durham and 23.7 miles from Lillington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.61 one way or $13.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Lillington.
Stop Ideas Near Apex
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Apex.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Lillington. Straight-line distance: 41.35 mi (66.55 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 Lillington
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 3,634 |
| Coordinates | 35.3993300, -78.8158500 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lillington (-78.81585, 35.39933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $6.61 | $13.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.40 | $14.79 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.98 | $15.96 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $9.39 | $18.78 |
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.