How far is Durham, NC from Pilot Mountain, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Pilot Mountain, NC is about 102.9 miles (165.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Pilot Mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Pilot Mountain.
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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
-
4
Take the ramp straight
154 m · 13 sec
-
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
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Salem Parkway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Salem Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NC 74 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
Continue on Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 52 North: Mount Airy
1.8 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto John Gold Memorial Expressway
14.8 mi · 17 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NC 268: Pilot Mountain, Elkin
952 ft · 23 sec
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Key Street
6 m · 1 sec · South Key Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto South Key Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Key Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Key Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Pilot Mountain.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Durham and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Pilot Mountain?
The road trip is about 102.9 miles (165.6 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Durham and 51.5 miles from Pilot Mountain.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 2:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.38 one way or $28.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Pilot Mountain.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
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 Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Pilot Mountain. Straight-line distance: 91.7 mi (147.57 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 Pilot Mountain
City in Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,408 |
| Coordinates | 36.3865300, -80.4695000 |
| Altitude | 352 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pilot Mountain (-80.4695, 36.38653)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.38 | $28.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.08 | $32.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.34 | $34.69 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.42 | $40.83 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.