How far is Durham, NC from Lincolnton, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Lincolnton, NC is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137 miles (220.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m 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 16m.
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 and the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Lincolnton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Lincolnton.
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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
50.2 mi · 54 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 152: China Grove, Rockwell
1773 ft · 44 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout
593 ft · 11 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
26 m · 1 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
7 m · 1 sec
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15
Keep slight right
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Turn sharp right onto East Church Street
12 mi · 18 min · East Church Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Oakridge Farm Highway
1449 ft · 28 sec · Oakridge Farm Highway
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18
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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19
Continue on East Plaza Drive
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Plaza Drive
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20
Continue on River Highway
22.7 mi · 35 min · River Highway
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21
Turn right onto East Main Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
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22
Turn right onto North Laurel Street
542 ft · 24 sec · North Laurel Street
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23
Turn left onto East Pine Street
945 ft · 26 sec · East Pine Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Lincolnton.
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
50.2 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Durham and Chance Rain Showers near Lincolnton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Lincolnton?
The road trip is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Thomasville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Durham and 77.4 miles from Lincolnton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137 miles (220.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 10:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.59 one way or $43.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Chance Rain Showers near Lincolnton.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasville
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 Thomasville.
High Point
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Lincolnton. Straight-line distance: 136.93 mi (220.37 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 Lincolnton
County seat in North Carolina
| Population | 11,522 |
| Coordinates | 35.4737500, -81.2545300 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lincolnton (-81.25453, 35.47375)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.59 | $43.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.14 | $48.28 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.04 | $52.08 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.65 | $61.30 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.