How far is Elizabeth City, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Elizabeth City, NC to Durham, NC is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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
187.55 mi
02h 58m
Flight
149.17 mi
240.06 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elizabeth City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
149.17 mi
Kilometers
240.06 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.55 mi
Kilometers
301.83 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Sun, Apr 19, 6:48 AM EDT
Return by in Elizabeth City
Sun, Apr 19, 9:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elizabeth City
2026-04-19T03:50
Arrive Durham
Sun, Apr 19, 6:48 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elizabeth City
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Princeville
NC

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Elizabeth City
91.4 mi
01h 29m
To Durham
96.2 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth City and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth City and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Providence Road

    783 ft · 36 sec · Providence Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard

    63.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South Hughes Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    27.8 mi · 30 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road

    1173 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road

    94 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Rolesville Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road

  8. 8

    Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

    2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Horton Road

    2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    1943 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham

    2972 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive

    4.1 mi · 6 min · T.W. Alexander Drive

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham

    1358 ft · 34 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street

    769 ft · 19 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth City and Durham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Hughes Boulevard
148 mi · 79%
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 8%
Durham Freeway
5.09 mi · 3%
Buffaloe Road
4.2 mi · 2%
T.W. Alexander Drive
4.06 mi · 2%
Rolesville Road
2.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Hughes Boulevard

Turn right onto South Hughes Boulevard

63.9 mi · 01h 22m

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
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.3 mi
149.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Princeville
01h 29m from Elizabeth City
Leave By
12:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elizabeth City and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth City to Durham?

The road trip is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Princeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.4 miles from Elizabeth City and 96.2 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 12:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.22 one way or $52.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elizabeth City and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Princeville

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 Princeville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.6 mi away

Historic Town Hall

Bethel , NC
141 W Railroad St, Bethel, NC 27812
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark
Town of Tarboro
Meeting point 1.8 mi away

Town of Tarboro

Tarboro , NC
500 N Main St, Tarboro, NC 27886
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rocky Mount

25 mi away
101 Hammond Street
BUS

Greenville, NC

34 mi away
Second and Reade Streets
RAIL

Wilson

39 mi away
401 East Nash Street
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

69 mi away
1615 East Beech Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 149.17 mi (240.06 km).

Elizabeth City

#1 Elizabeth City

City in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina

Population17,988
Coordinates36.2946000, -76.2510500
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Durham

#2 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
Start: Providence Road (-76.250921, 36.294706)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.62 gal
25.05 L · about $26.22
Round trip
$52.44
13.24 gal · 50.1 L
Estimated CO2
58.8 kg one way
Round trip: 117.7 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $26.22 $52.44
Mid-grade $4.43 $29.32 $58.64
Premium $4.78 $31.63 $63.26
Diesel $5.62 $37.23 $74.46

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Elizabeth City and Durham. The current time is 03:50:12.

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.