How far is Durham, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance from Durham, NC to Wilmington, NC is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Township in Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Wilmington.
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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
144 m · 17 sec · South Dillard Street
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3
Turn left onto Ramseur Street
889 ft · 26 sec · Ramseur Street
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4
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
954 ft · 36 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
1.2 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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16
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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17
Turn left onto North Kerr Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Kerr Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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19
Turn left onto South 16th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 16th Street
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20
Turn right onto Wooster Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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21
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
28 m · 2 sec · South 3rd Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Wilmington.
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 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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Durham to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.9 miles from Durham and 80.7 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.18 one way or $44.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Wilmington.
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 Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 133.55 mi (214.92 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 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 3rd Street (-77.944833, 34.225717)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.18 | $44.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.80 | $49.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.76 | $53.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.49 | $62.99 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.