How far is Durham, NC from Madison, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Madison, NC is about 80.2 miles (129 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
80.13 mi
01h 40m
Flight
65.05 mi
104.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Durham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.05 mi
Kilometers
104.68 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.13 mi
Kilometers
128.95 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 8:32 AM EDT
Return by in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 10:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-23T06:52
Arrive Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 8:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durham
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Whitsett
NC

Human settlement in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Durham
40 mi
00h 50m
To Madison
40.1 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Madison.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    700 ft · 24 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Mangum Street

    1691 ft · 48 sec · South Mangum Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Jackie Robinson Drive

    65 m · 7 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    154 m · 13 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    5 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    40.6 mi · 47 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    1871 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 785 North, I 840 West

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop

    13.6 mi · 16 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 220: Battleground Avenue

    1704 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 220 North

    124 m · 14 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Battleground Avenue

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Battleground Avenue

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Battleground Avenue

    7.7 mi · 10 min · Battleground Avenue

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    1208 ft · 18 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    5.5 mi · 8 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    680 ft · 23 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    126 m · 12 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Market Street

    7 m · 1 sec · South Market Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Madison.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Durham Freeway
46 mi · 57%
Battleground Avenue
17.5 mi · 22%
Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi · 17%
I 785 North
0.62 mi · 1%
US 220
0.32 mi
South Mangum Street
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

Durham Freeway

Merge slight left

40.6 mi · 00h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
65.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whitsett
00h 50m from Durham
Leave By
3:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Durham to Madison?

The road trip is about 80.2 miles (129 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Whitsett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Durham and 40.1 miles from Madison.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.21 one way or $22.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Whitsett

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Whitsett and the surrounding midpoint area.
Burlington City Switchboard
Scenic stop 7.4 mi away

Burlington City Switchboard

Burlington , NC
425 S Lexington Ave, Burlington, NC 27215, United States
Rating 4.0/5 1 reviews Park,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.2 mi away

Graham City Hall

Graham , NC
201 S Main St #357, Graham, NC 27253
Rating 3.2/5 5 reviews City government office
Burlington Tax Department
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

Burlington Tax Department

Burlington , NC
237 West Maple Ave, Burlington, NC 27215
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Whitsett.

RAIL

Burlington

12 mi away
101 North Main Street
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

24 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

42 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Danville

59 mi away
677 Craghead St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Madison. Straight-line distance: 65.05 mi (104.68 km).

Durham

#1 Durham

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.

Population285,897
Coordinates35.9940300, -78.8986200
Altitude123
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

Town located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA

Population2,108
Coordinates36.3854200, -79.9594900
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Madison (-79.95949, 36.38542)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.83 gal
10.7 L · about $11.21
Round trip
$22.42
5.66 gal · 21.4 L
Estimated CO2
25.2 kg one way
Round trip: 50.3 kg / 111 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.21 $22.42
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.53 $25.07
Premium $4.78 $13.52 $27.04
Diesel $5.62 $15.92 $31.83

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

There is no time difference between Durham and Madison. The current time is 06:52:07.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.