How far is Durham, NC from Red Oak, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Red Oak, NC is about 75.1 miles (120.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m 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
75.14 mi
01h 30m
Flight
55.54 mi
89.38 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
55.54 mi
Kilometers
89.38 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
75.14 mi
Kilometers
120.92 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Red Oak
Thu, Apr 23, 1:11 PM EDT
Return by in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-23T11:41
Arrive Red Oak
Thu, Apr 23, 1:11 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:30 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
Knightdale
NC

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

From Durham
37.5 mi
00h 45m
To Red Oak
37.6 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Red Oak.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1101 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Dillard Street

    864 ft · 30 sec · South Dillard Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street

    800 ft · 25 sec · East Pettigrew Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Fayetteville Road

    144 m · 22 sec · Fayetteville Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    797 ft · 20 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    2 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg

    3051 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto East End Connector

    1951 ft · 26 sec · East End Connector

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 East: Raleigh

    2088 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto South Miami Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Miami Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on New Raleigh Highway

    2.6 mi · 4 min · New Raleigh Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Glenwood Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Avenue

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 540: Wake Forest, RDU Airport

    649 ft · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 540 East: Wake Forest

    1.6 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    21.2 mi · 23 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    13.2 mi · 14 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    24 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 64 Business

    1216 ft · 30 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left

    744 ft · 17 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on Red Oak Road

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Red Oak Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Red Oak Boulevard

    15 m · 1 sec · Red Oak Boulevard

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Red Oak Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northern Wake Expressway
58.4 mi · 78%
Red Oak Road
5.09 mi · 7%
New Raleigh Highway
2.58 mi · 3%
Durham Freeway
1.97 mi · 3%
Glenwood Avenue
1.85 mi · 2%
South Miami Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Northern Wake Expressway

Keep slight left

24 mi · 00h 26m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
55.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knightdale
00h 45m from Durham
Leave By
3:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Durham and Sunny near Red Oak.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Durham to Red Oak?

The road trip is about 75.1 miles (120.9 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Knightdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from Durham and 37.6 miles from Red Oak.

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

The direct path is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.50 one way or $20.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Red Oak.

Stop Ideas Near Knightdale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Knightdale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 12.6 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Raleigh , NC
13100 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
Rating 4.6/5 86 reviews Restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.1 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.8 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9.4 mi away

City Of Raleigh Fleet Services

Raleigh , NC
2501 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Knightdale.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

15 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

20 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

27 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

34 mi away
500 East Railroad Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Red Oak. Straight-line distance: 55.54 mi (89.38 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Red Oak

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

Population3,492
Coordinates36.0384900, -77.9063700
Altitude62
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Red Oak (-77.90637, 36.03849)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 121 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.65 gal
10.04 L · about $10.50
Round trip
$20.99
5.3 gal · 20.08 L
Estimated CO2
23.6 kg one way
Round trip: 47.1 kg / 104 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.50 $20.99
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.74 $23.47
Premium $4.78 $12.66 $25.32
Diesel $5.62 $14.90 $29.81

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

There is no time difference between Durham and Red Oak. The current time is 11:41:27.

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.