How far is Durham, NC from Rockingham, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Rockingham, NC is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88 miles (141.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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 05m.
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.
City in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Rockingham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Rockingham.
-
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
6.7 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway
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7
Continue on Triangle Expressway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Triangle Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on NC 540 Toll South: Sanford
1.1 km · 2 min
-
9
Continue on Triangle Expressway
11 mi · 12 min · Triangle Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South: Sanford
1.5 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
13.1 mi · 14 min · Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway
23 mi · 27 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right
3281 ft · 47 sec
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14
Merge slight left
43.5 mi · 53 min
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15
Turn straight onto East Washington Street
1090 ft · 23 sec · East Washington Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Rockingham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jefferson Davis Highway
Merge slight left
43.5 mi · 00h 53m
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 Sunny near Rockingham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Rockingham?
The road trip is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Sanford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Durham and 52.1 miles from Rockingham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88 miles (141.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 2:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.54 one way or $29.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Rockingham.
Stop Ideas Near Sanford
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 Sanford.
Southern Pines
Cary
Fayetteville
North Carolina State Fair station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Rockingham. Straight-line distance: 87.96 mi (141.56 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 Rockingham
City in North Carolina
| Population | 8,520 |
| Coordinates | 34.9393200, -79.7739500 |
| Altitude | 86 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rockingham (-79.77395, 34.93932)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 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 | $14.54 | $29.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.54 | $35.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.64 | $41.28 |
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.