How far is Durham, NC from Wilsons Mills, NC?

The driving distance from Durham, NC to Wilsons Mills, NC is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.6 miles (66.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m 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
51.83 mi
01h 02m
Flight
41.57 mi
66.9 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
41.57 mi
Kilometers
66.9 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.83 mi
Kilometers
83.41 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wilsons Mills
Sat, Apr 18, 9:26 AM EDT
Return by in Durham
Sat, Apr 18, 10:28 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-18T08:23
Arrive Wilsons Mills
Sat, Apr 18, 9:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:24 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Raleigh
NC

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

From Durham
25.9 mi
00h 31m
To Wilsons Mills
25.9 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph S
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Wilsons Mills.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Wilsons Mills.

  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

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Durham Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh

    1.3 km · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    8.7 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    9.5 mi · 11 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10.2 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    2345 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto Swift Creek Road

    2746 ft · 1 min · Swift Creek Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Wilson's Mills Road

    1013 ft · 24 sec · Wilson's Mills Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Fire Department Road

    847 ft · 23 sec · Fire Department Road

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fire Department Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Wilsons Mills.

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
19 mi · 37%
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
13.4 mi · 26%
Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
11.3 mi · 22%
Durham Freeway
6.51 mi · 13%
Swift Creek Road
0.52 mi · 1%
Fayetteville Road
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Keep slight right to continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

10.2 mi · 00h 11m

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 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
41.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Raleigh
00h 31m from Durham
Leave By
4:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Durham and Mostly Sunny near Wilsons Mills.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Durham to Wilsons Mills?

The road trip is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?

Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.9 miles from Durham and 25.9 miles from Wilsons Mills.

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

The direct path is about 41.6 miles (66.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 4:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.25 one way or $14.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Durham and Mostly Sunny near Wilsons Mills.

Stop Ideas Near Raleigh

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 Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 9.9 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 4.2 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 10.5 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 7.2 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

1 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

13 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

35 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Wilsons Mills. Straight-line distance: 41.57 mi (66.9 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 Wilsons Mills

Park in the United States of America

Population2,277
Coordinates35.5840500, -78.3558300
Altitude70
CountryUnited States
Start: Durham (-78.89862, 35.99403)
End: Wilsons Mills (-78.35583, 35.58405)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.83 gal
6.92 L · about $7.25
Round trip
$14.50
3.66 gal · 13.84 L
Estimated CO2
16.3 kg one way
Round trip: 32.5 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.25 $14.50
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.11 $16.21
Premium $4.78 $8.74 $17.49
Diesel $5.62 $10.29 $20.58

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

There is no time difference between Durham and Wilsons Mills. The current time is 08:23:13.

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.