How far is Durham, NC from Murphy, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Murphy, NC is about 332.9 miles (535.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 295.4 miles (475.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 40m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Murphy.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Murphy.
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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 right
12.6 mi · 15 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
-
10
Keep slight left
25.5 mi · 32 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
22 mi · 29 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
21.9 mi · 26 min · Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
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13
Continue on Appalachian Highway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Appalachian Highway
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14
Continue on West Highway 19
4 mi · 5 min · West Highway 19
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15
Turn right
34 mi · 46 min
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16
Turn right onto Peachtree Street
2943 ft · 2 min · Peachtree Street
-
17
Turn right
19 m · 6 sec
-
18
Turn left
18 m · 7 sec
-
19
Turn left
18 m · 3 sec
-
20
Turn right onto Hiwassee Street
36 m · 5 sec · Hiwassee Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hiwassee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Murphy.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
153 mi · 02h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Murphy.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Murphy?
The road trip is about 332.9 miles (535.8 km) and usually takes 06h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Drexel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.3 miles from Durham and 166.7 miles from Murphy.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 295.4 miles (475.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.54 one way or $93.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Murphy.
Stop Ideas Near Drexel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Casar Park, Town Hall, & Veterans Memorial
City of Lenoir
Longview Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Drexel.
Gastonia
Charlotte
Kannapolis
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Murphy. Straight-line distance: 295.43 mi (475.45 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 Murphy
Town in Cherokee County, North Carolina
| Population | 1,666 |
| Coordinates | 35.0875800, -84.0346300 |
| Altitude | 486 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murphy (-84.03463, 35.08758)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 536 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $46.54 | $93.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $52.04 | $104.08 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $56.14 | $112.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $66.08 | $132.16 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.