How far is Durham, NC from Norlina, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Norlina, NC is about 53.1 miles (85.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50 miles (80.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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
53.16 mi
01h 02m
Flight
49.98 mi
80.43 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
49.98 mi
Kilometers
80.43 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.16 mi
Kilometers
85.55 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Norlina
Sat, Apr 18, 10:39 PM EDT
Return by in Durham
Sat, Apr 18, 11:41 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-18T21:36
Arrive Norlina
Sat, Apr 18, 10:39 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:26 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
Oxford
NC

City in North Carolina, United States

From Durham
26.6 mi
00h 31m
To Norlina
26.6 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph S
Destination
91°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    30 m · 10 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Roxboro Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Roxboro Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on North Roxboro Street

    1666 ft · 41 sec · North Roxboro Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto I-85 North Access Road

    1036 ft · 29 sec · I-85 North Access Road

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1094 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2781 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    37.1 mi · 40 min

  8. 8

    Turn straight

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1, US 158: Norlina

    1002 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-85 North Access Road
38 mi · 71%
North Roxboro Street
1.48 mi · 3%
US 1
0.19 mi
East Main Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I-85 North Access Road

Keep slight left

37.1 mi · 00h 40m

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 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
50 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oxford
00h 31m from Durham
Leave By
4:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Norlina.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 53.1 miles (85.5 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?

Oxford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from Durham and 26.6 miles from Norlina.

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

The direct path is about 50 miles (80.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 4:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.45 one way or $14.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Norlina.

Stop Ideas Near Oxford

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Oxford, 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 Oxford.

RAIL

Durham

45 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

58 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

60 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Cary

61 mi away
211 North Academy Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Norlina. Straight-line distance: 49.98 mi (80.43 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
Norlina

#2 Norlina

City in Warren County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,040
Coordinates36.4457000, -78.1983300
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Norlina (-78.19833, 36.4457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 86 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.88 gal
7.1 L · about $7.45
Round trip
$14.89
3.76 gal · 14.2 L
Estimated CO2
16.7 kg one way
Round trip: 33.4 kg / 74 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.45 $14.89
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.33 $16.65
Premium $4.78 $8.98 $17.97
Diesel $5.62 $10.57 $21.15

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 Norlina. The current time is 21:36:59.

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.