How far is Durham, NC from Pine Knoll Shores, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Pine Knoll Shores, NC is about 181 miles (291.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.8 miles (237.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Pine Knoll Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Pine Knoll Shores.
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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
35.2 mi · 48 min · Freedom Memorial Bridge
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21
Turn right onto Atlantic Beach Bridge
1.4 km · 2 min · Atlantic Beach Bridge
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22
Continue on Atlantic Beach Causeway
1.1 km · 1 min · Atlantic Beach Causeway
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23
Turn right onto West Fort Macon Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Fort Macon Road
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24
Continue on Salter Path Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Salter Path Road
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25
Turn right onto Mimosa Boulevard
1013 ft · 40 sec · Mimosa Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto Loblolly Drive
985 ft · 39 sec · Loblolly Drive
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27
Turn left onto Ash Court
66 m · 7 sec · Ash Court
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ash Court
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Pine Knoll Shores.
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
35.2 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Pine Knoll Shores?
The road trip is about 181 miles (291.3 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Durham and 90.5 miles from Pine Knoll Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.8 miles (237.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.31 one way or $50.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before leaving, the latest forecast around Durham is Sunny.
Stop Ideas Near La Grange
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 La Grange.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Wilson
Selma–Smithfield
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Pine Knoll Shores. Straight-line distance: 147.77 mi (237.82 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 Pine Knoll Shores
City in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,315 |
| Coordinates | 34.6973800, -76.8132700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pine Knoll Shores (-76.81327, 34.69738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.31 | $50.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.30 | $56.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.53 | $61.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.94 | $71.87 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.