How far is Lillington, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Lillington, NC to Durham, NC is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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 00h 56m.
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.
The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina.
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 Lillington and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lillington and Durham.
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1
Start on the route
4 m · 2 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn left onto McKinney Parkway
1.3 km · 2 min · McKinney Parkway
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4
Turn left onto West Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
8.8 mi · 13 min · West Cornelius Harnett Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto Piney Grove-Rawls Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Piney Grove-Rawls Road
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6
Continue on Piney Grove-Wilbon Road
6 mi · 10 min · Piney Grove-Wilbon Road
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7
Continue on South Main Street
2395 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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8
Turn left onto GB Alford Highway
4 mi · 6 min · GB Alford Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NC 540 Toll West
1099 ft · 27 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
13.8 mi · 15 min · Triangle Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Continue on Triangle Expressway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway
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13
Continue on Durham Freeway
4.6 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 Lillington 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.
Triangle Expressway
Merge slight left onto Triangle Expressway
13.8 mi · 00h 15m
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 Lillington 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 Lillington to Durham?
The road trip is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Apex is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Lillington and 24.4 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.77 one way or $13.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lillington and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Apex
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Apex.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lillington and Durham. Straight-line distance: 41.35 mi (66.55 km).
#1 Lillington
Town in North Carolina
| Population | 3,634 |
| Coordinates | 35.3993300, -78.8158500 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $6.77 | $13.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.57 | $15.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $9.62 | $19.23 |
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.