How far is Durham, NC from Waxhaw, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Waxhaw, NC is about 166.5 miles (267.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m 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 18m.
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.
City in and county seat of Davidson 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 Waxhaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Waxhaw.
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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
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4
Take the ramp straight
154 m · 13 sec
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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 left to continue on I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
5.4 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left
70.3 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 485 Inner, I 485 Outer: Matthews, Huntersville
1257 ft · 31 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 485 South Inner: Matthews
1.3 mi · 3 min
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12
Continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway
19.4 mi · 21 min · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Governor James G Martin Freeway
2790 ft · 34 sec · Governor James G Martin Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 74 East: Monroe
1337 ft · 44 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto East Independence Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Independence Boulevard
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Independence Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Independence Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto North Indian Trail Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Indian Trail Road
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18
Continue on Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Traffic Circle
32 m · 2 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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20
Exit the rotary onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
1720 ft · 36 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
38 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
39 m · 3 sec · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
4.4 mi · 8 min · Waxhaw Indian Trail Road South
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25
Continue on Howie Mine Road
1 km · 1 min · Howie Mine Road
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26
Turn left onto North Broome Street
130 m · 19 sec · North Broome Street
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27
Turn left onto East South Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Waxhaw.
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 85 Business South
Keep slight left
70.3 mi · 01h 16m
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 leaving Durham and Sunny near Waxhaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Waxhaw?
The road trip is about 166.5 miles (267.9 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.2 miles from Durham and 83.3 miles from Waxhaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.29 one way or $46.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Durham and Sunny near Waxhaw.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Lexington
Salisbury
High Point
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Waxhaw. Straight-line distance: 127.42 mi (205.07 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 Waxhaw
Town in Union County, North Carolina, USA
| Population | 17,987 |
| Coordinates | 34.9245900, -80.7434000 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waxhaw (-80.7434, 34.92459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.04 | $52.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.09 | $56.19 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
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.