How far is Durham, NC from Masonboro, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Masonboro, NC is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.8 miles (223.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m 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
156.62 mi
02h 59m
Flight
138.75 mi
223.3 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
138.75 mi
Kilometers
223.3 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.62 mi
Kilometers
252.06 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 02h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Masonboro
Sun, Apr 19, 10:35 PM EDT
Return by in Durham
Mon, Apr 20, 1:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-19T19:36
Arrive Masonboro
Sun, Apr 19, 10:35 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:30 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
Keener
NC

Township in Sampson County, North Carolina

From Durham
78.4 mi
01h 29m
To Masonboro
78.2 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W
Destination
84°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Dillard Street

    864 ft · 30 sec · South Dillard Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street

    800 ft · 25 sec · East Pettigrew Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Fayetteville Road

    144 m · 22 sec · Fayetteville Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    797 ft · 20 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    8.7 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    9.5 mi · 11 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  15. 15

    Continue on North College Road

    4.5 mi · 7 min · North College Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Oleander Drive

    1677 ft · 36 sec · Oleander Drive

  17. 17

    Turn slight right onto Pine Grove Drive

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Pine Grove Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Masonboro Sound Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Masonboro Sound Road

  19. 19

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
126 mi · 81%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
13.4 mi · 9%
Durham Freeway
6.51 mi · 4%
North College Road
4.52 mi · 3%
Pine Grove Drive
2.13 mi · 1%
SR 42
1.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington

107 mi · 01h 55m

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
02h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.8 mi
138.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Keener
01h 29m from Durham
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Durham and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Masonboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.4 miles from Durham and 78.2 miles from Masonboro.

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

The direct path is about 138.8 miles (223.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.90 one way or $43.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Masonboro.

Stop Ideas Near Keener

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Keener, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Goldsboro, NC

44 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

47 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

Fayetteville

52 mi away
472 Hay Street
BUS

Kinston, NC

68 mi away
101 East New Bern Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Masonboro. Straight-line distance: 138.75 mi (223.3 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Masonboro

Township in New Hanover County, North Carolina

Population14,826
Coordinates34.1793400, -77.8474800
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Masonboro (-77.84748, 34.17934)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.53 gal
20.92 L · about $21.90
Round trip
$43.81
11.06 gal · 41.84 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.3 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.90 $43.81
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.49 $48.98
Premium $4.78 $26.42 $52.84
Diesel $5.62 $31.10 $62.20

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

There is no time difference between Durham and Masonboro. The current time is 19:36:26.

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.