How far is Elon, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Elon, NC to Durham, NC is about 40.6 miles (65.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.8 miles (56 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Alamance County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elon and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elon and Durham.
-
1
Start on West Haggard Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Haggard Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Webb Avenue
4.7 mi · 6 min · West Webb Avenue
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3
Continue on West Elm Street
1524 ft · 28 sec · West Elm Street
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4
Turn left onto West Harden Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Harden Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Harden Street
24 m · 1 sec · East Harden Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Harden Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Harden Street
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7
Turn left
1207 ft · 31 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sam Hunt Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
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12
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
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13
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
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14
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elon 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.
Sam Hunt Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sam Hunt Freeway
14.3 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Clear leaving Elon and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elon to Durham?
The road trip is about 40.6 miles (65.4 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mebane is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Elon and 21.5 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.8 miles (56 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Elon and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Mebane
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Burlington City Switchboard
Carrboro Town Hall
Burlington Tax Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mebane.
Burlington
Durham
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
Danville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elon and Durham. Straight-line distance: 34.79 mi (55.99 km).
#1 Elon
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 12,186 |
| Coordinates | 36.1029100, -79.5066900 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| 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: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.66 | $11.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.33 | $12.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.83 | $13.67 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $8.04 | $16.08 |
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.