How far is Lincolnton, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Lincolnton, NC to Durham, NC is about 169.9 miles (273.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137 miles (220.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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 and the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States
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 Lincolnton and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincolnton and Durham.
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1
Start on East Pine Street
945 ft · 28 sec · East Pine Street
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2
Turn right onto North Laurel Street
542 ft · 26 sec · North Laurel Street
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3
Turn left onto East Main Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
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4
Turn left
22.7 mi · 35 min
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5
Continue on West Plaza Drive
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Plaza Drive
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6
Continue on Oak Ridge Farm Highway
2.8 mi · 5 min · Oak Ridge Farm Highway
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7
Continue on Oakridge Farm Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Oakridge Farm Highway
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8
Continue on Mooresville Road
15.6 mi · 22 min · Mooresville Road
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9
Turn right onto Jake Alexander Boulevard West
2 mi · 3 min · Jake Alexander Boulevard West
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10
Turn left
1434 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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14
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham
9.4 mi · 11 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
156 m · 13 sec
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18
Continue on Morehead Avenue
854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
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19
Turn left onto South Roxboro Street
1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street
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20
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincolnton 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.
US 29
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 43m
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 Lincolnton and Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincolnton to Durham?
The road trip is about 169.9 miles (273.5 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Thomasville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Lincolnton and 93.3 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137 miles (220.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.77 one way or $47.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lincolnton and Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasville
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 Thomasville.
High Point
Lexington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincolnton and Durham. Straight-line distance: 136.93 mi (220.37 km).
#1 Lincolnton
County seat in North Carolina
| Population | 11,522 |
| Coordinates | 35.4737500, -81.2545300 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| 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: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.77 | $47.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.67 | $57.34 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.74 | $67.49 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.