How far is Durham, NC from Silver Lake, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Silver Lake, NC is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.1 miles (223.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Township in Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Silver Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Silver Lake.
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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 left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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15
Continue on North College Road
5.1 mi · 8 min · North College Road
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16
Turn slight right onto Shipyard Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Shipyard Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto Independence Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Independence Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Carolina Beach Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Carolina Beach Road
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19
Turn right onto Silver Terra Drive
1561 ft · 1 min · Silver Terra Drive
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20
Turn right onto Ilex Drive
156 m · 27 sec · Ilex Drive
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21
Turn left onto Carya Drive
134 m · 21 sec · Carya Drive
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22
Turn right onto Cornus Drive
1032 ft · 47 sec · Cornus Drive
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23
Turn right onto Yulan Drive
10 m · 1 sec · Yulan Drive
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Yulan Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Silver Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
107 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Silver Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Silver Lake?
The road trip is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Durham and 79.5 miles from Silver Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.1 miles (223.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.22 one way or $44.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Silver Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Keener
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 Keener.
Goldsboro, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Fayetteville
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Silver Lake. Straight-line distance: 139.13 mi (223.91 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 Silver Lake
City in Shawnee County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 5,598 |
| Coordinates | 34.1487800, -77.9136000 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: Silver Lake (-77.9136, 34.14878)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.22 | $44.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.85 | $49.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.80 | $53.61 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.55 | $63.10 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.