How far is Durham, NC from Morehead City, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Morehead City, NC is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 07m 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 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Morehead City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Morehead City.
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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 right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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13
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 10 min
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14
Keep slight left
14.3 mi · 19 min
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15
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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16
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
19.8 mi · 21 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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17
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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18
Turn straight onto West New Bern Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · West New Bern Road
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19
Continue on East New Bern Road
33.4 mi · 37 min · East New Bern Road
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 50 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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21
Turn left onto North 18th Street
57 m · 8 sec · North 18th Street
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22
Turn right
75 m · 18 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Morehead City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Freedom Memorial Bridge
Keep slight left to continue on Freedom Memorial Bridge
35.8 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Morehead City?
The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
Elroy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from Durham and 87.8 miles from Morehead City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.52 one way or $49.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Morehead City.
Stop Ideas Near Elroy
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 Elroy.
Goldsboro, NC
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Selma–Smithfield
Wilson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Morehead City. Straight-line distance: 150.66 mi (242.46 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 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Morehead City (-76.72604, 34.72294)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.42 | $54.83 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.58 | $59.15 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.81 | $69.63 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.