How far is Elm City, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Elm City, NC to Durham, NC is about 75.2 miles (121.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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 01h 16m.
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.
Town in 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 Elm City and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elm City and Durham.
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1
Start on Parker Street
14 m · 5 sec · Parker Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
2207 ft · 48 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Tolsnot Street
155 m · 10 sec · Tolsnot Street
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4
Continue on Lake Wilson Road
5 mi · 9 min · Lake Wilson Road
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5
Continue on Airport Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · Airport Boulevard
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6
Turn right onto Raleigh Road Parkway West
3.8 mi · 6 min · Raleigh Road Parkway West
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7
Take the ramp slight right
2546 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight right
23 mi · 25 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road
1173 ft · 29 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road
94 m · 8 sec
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11
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road
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12
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road
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13
Turn right onto Horton Road
2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road
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14
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road
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15
Take the ramp right
1943 ft · 24 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
2972 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue
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19
Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive
4.1 mi · 6 min · T.W. Alexander Drive
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham
1358 ft · 34 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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24
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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25
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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26
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elm City and Durham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Raleigh Road Parkway West
Merge slight right
23 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Elm City and Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elm City to Durham?
The road trip is about 75.2 miles (121.1 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Wendell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.8 miles from Elm City and 40.5 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 3:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.50 one way or $20.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elm City and Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Wendell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Clayton Utilities
City Of Raleigh Fleet Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wendell.
Raleigh Union Station
Selma–Smithfield
North Carolina State Fair station
Cary
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elm City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 59.37 mi (95.55 km).
#1 Elm City
City in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 35.8065500, -77.8633200 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 121 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.50 | $20.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.74 | $23.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.66 | $25.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.90 | $29.81 |
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.