How far is James City, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from James City, NC to Durham, NC is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122 miles (196.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m 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 02h 18m.
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 Johnston County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between James City and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between James City and Durham.
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1
Start on the route
35.5 mi · 40 min
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2
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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3
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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4
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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5
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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6
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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8
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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9
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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10
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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11
Merge slight left
29.5 mi · 34 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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16
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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17
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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18
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between James City and Durham.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Start on the route
35.5 mi · 00h 40m
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 James 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 James City to Durham?
The road trip is about 140.2 miles (225.7 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70 miles from James City and 70.3 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122 miles (196.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 1:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.61 one way or $39.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around James City and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Princeton
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 Princeton.
Selma–Smithfield
Goldsboro, NC
Wilson
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between James City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 122.02 mi (196.38 km).
#1 James City
Census designated place
| Population | 5,899 |
| Coordinates | 35.0887700, -77.0349500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.61 | $39.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.92 | $43.85 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $23.65 | $47.30 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
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.