How far is Knightdale, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Knightdale, NC to Durham, NC is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
36.8 mi
00h 37m
Flight
27.4 mi
44.1 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Knightdale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.4 mi
Kilometers
44.1 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.8 mi
Kilometers
59.23 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 4:54 AM EDT
Return by in Knightdale
Thu, Apr 23, 5:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Knightdale
2026-04-23T04:16
Arrive Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 4:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:37 AM to 7:37 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Knightdale
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
West Raleigh
NC

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

From Knightdale
16.6 mi
00h 18m
To Durham
20.2 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Knightdale and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Street

    135 m · 21 sec · Railroad Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Smithfield Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Smithfield Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Knightdale Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Knightdale Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 540 West

    1865 ft · 45 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    19 mi · 20 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham

    2972 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive

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

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham

    1358 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  12. 12

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

    769 ft · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northern Wake Expressway
19 mi · 52%
Durham Freeway
5.09 mi · 14%
T.W. Alexander Drive
4.06 mi · 11%
Knightdale Boulevard
1.51 mi · 4%
Glenwood Avenue
0.88 mi · 2%
South Smithfield Road
0.85 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Northern Wake Expressway

Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

19 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
27.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Raleigh
00h 18m from Knightdale
Leave By
7:16 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Knightdale and Sunny near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Knightdale to Durham?

The road trip is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?

West Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Knightdale and 20.2 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 7:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.15 one way or $10.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knightdale and Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near West Raleigh

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 West Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Pompieri Pizza
Food stop 13.6 mi away

Pompieri Pizza

Durham , NC
102 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Rating 4.5/5 916 reviews Pizza restaurant,Bar,Family restaurant,Neapolitan restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 14.8 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 10.7 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 10.4 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Raleigh.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

2 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

4 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

10 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

32 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Knightdale and Durham. Straight-line distance: 27.4 mi (44.1 km).

Knightdale

#1 Knightdale

City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population18,122
Coordinates35.7876500, -78.4805600
Altitude96
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: Railroad Street (-78.480572, 35.787666)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 59 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.3 gal
4.92 L · about $5.15
Round trip
$10.30
2.6 gal · 9.84 L
Estimated CO2
11.6 kg one way
Round trip: 23.1 kg / 51 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $5.15 $10.30
Mid-grade $4.43 $5.76 $11.52
Premium $4.78 $6.21 $12.42
Diesel $5.62 $7.31 $14.62

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

There is no time difference between Knightdale and Durham. The current time is 04:16:57.

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.