How far is Lake Waccamaw, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Lake Waccamaw, NC to Durham, NC is about 152 miles (244.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m 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 33m.
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.
City in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States of America
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 Lake Waccamaw and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Waccamaw and Durham.
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1
Start on West Oak Street
11 m · 5 sec · West Oak Street
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2
Turn left onto Pecan Lane
1064 ft · 52 sec · Pecan Lane
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3
Turn left onto Sam Potts Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sam Potts Highway
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4
Turn right onto Chauncey Town Road
1913 ft · 38 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Chauncey Town Road
89 m · 6 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chauncey Town Road
41 m · 3 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Chauncey Town Road
934 ft · 19 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Chauncey Town Road
29 m · 2 sec · Chauncey Town Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout
2319 ft · 57 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Andrew Jackson Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Andrew Jackson Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right
1480 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn right onto Red Hill Road
7.6 mi · 10 min · Red Hill Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Red Hill Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Red Hill Road
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15
Turn left onto James B White Highway
851 ft · 15 sec · James B White Highway
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16
At the end of the road, turn right
9.6 mi · 13 min
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17
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 6 min
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18
Turn left
23.7 mi · 33 min
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19
Continue on Cedar Creek Road
7.1 mi · 10 min · Cedar Creek Road
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20
Turn left onto I 95 North: Benson
1262 ft · 33 sec
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21
Merge slight left
31.5 mi · 36 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1480 ft · 36 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
1.3 km · 2 min
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24
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 15 min
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25
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 38 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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28
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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30
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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31
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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32
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Waccamaw 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.
I 40 West
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 00h 38m
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 Lake Waccamaw and Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Waccamaw to Durham?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.7 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?
Wade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.1 miles from Lake Waccamaw and 75.9 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 1:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Waccamaw and Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Wade
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 Wade.
Fayetteville
Selma–Smithfield
Southern Pines
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Waccamaw and Durham. Straight-line distance: 117.9 mi (189.74 km).
#1 Lake Waccamaw
Town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 1,392 |
| Coordinates | 34.3190600, -78.5000100 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| 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: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $23.78 | $47.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $25.66 | $51.32 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.