How far is Forest City, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Forest City, NC to Durham, NC is about 202.6 miles (326.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Rowan County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest City and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Durham.
-
1
Start on Cherry Mountain Street
17 m · 4 sec · Cherry Mountain Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
1058 ft · 54 sec · East Main Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Broadway Street
-
4
Take the ramp right
907 ft · 22 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
11.7 mi · 14 min · Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward West Dixon Boulevard
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Dixon Boulevard
-
7
Continue on Andrew Jackson Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
-
8
Continue on Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
-
9
Take the exit straight toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
572 ft · 8 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
1.3 km · 56 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
17.6 mi · 21 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
-
12
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
-
15
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
-
19
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
-
21
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest 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.
Cameron Morrison Bridge
Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Forest City 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 Forest City to Durham?
The road trip is about 202.6 miles (326.1 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Salisbury is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.5 miles from Forest City and 101.1 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.32 one way or $56.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Forest City and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Salisbury
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 Salisbury.
Salisbury
Kannapolis
Lexington
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 172.65 mi (277.85 km).
#1 Forest City
Town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,138 |
| Coordinates | 35.3340100, -81.8651000 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| 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: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.32 | $56.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.67 | $63.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.16 | $68.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.