How far is Madison, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Madison, NC to Durham, NC is about 87.6 miles (141 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
87.6 mi
01h 25m
Flight
65.05 mi
104.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.05 mi
Kilometers
104.68 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.6 mi
Kilometers
140.98 km
Drive Time
01h 25m

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 01h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 5:29 AM EDT
Return by in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 6:55 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-04-23T04:04
Arrive Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 5:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Whitsett
NC

Human settlement in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States of America

From Madison
40 mi
00h 42m
To Durham
47.6 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 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 Madison and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Market Street

    7 m · 8 sec · South Market Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Academy Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Academy Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1688 ft · 47 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    645 ft · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    2655 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    4 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 220 South: Greensboro

    7.2 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left

    1969 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Greensboro Urban Loop

    13.6 mi · 16 min · Greensboro Urban Loop

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40, I 85 North

    619 ft · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East, I 85 North

    1.2 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    31.3 mi · 36 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway

    5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street

    156 m · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Morehead Avenue

    854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Roxboro Street

    1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison 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
20 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
32.1 mi · 37%
Greensboro Urban Loop
13.6 mi · 15%
East Academy Street
11.5 mi · 13%
I 85 North
9.37 mi · 11%
US 220 South
7.57 mi · 9%
Durham Freeway
5.21 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left

31.3 mi · 00h 36m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.5 mi
65.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whitsett
00h 42m from Madison
Leave By
3:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 87.6 miles (141 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?

Whitsett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Madison and 47.6 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 3:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.24 one way or $24.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Whitsett

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 Whitsett and the surrounding midpoint area.
Burlington City Switchboard
Scenic stop 7.4 mi away

Burlington City Switchboard

Burlington , NC
425 S Lexington Ave, Burlington, NC 27215, United States
Rating 4.0/5 1 reviews Park,City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.1 mi away

Graham City Hall

Graham , NC
201 S Main St #357, Graham, NC 27253
Rating 3.2/5 5 reviews City government office
Burlington Tax Department
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

Burlington Tax Department

Burlington , NC
237 West Maple Ave, Burlington, NC 27215
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Whitsett.

RAIL

Burlington

12 mi away
101 North Main Street
RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

24 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

42 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Danville

59 mi away
677 Craghead St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Durham. Straight-line distance: 65.05 mi (104.68 km).

Madison

#1 Madison

Town located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA

Population2,108
Coordinates36.3854200, -79.9594900
Altitude183
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: South Market Street (-79.959561, 36.385418)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.09 gal
11.7 L · about $12.24
Round trip
$24.48
6.18 gal · 23.4 L
Estimated CO2
27.5 kg one way
Round trip: 54.9 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $12.24 $24.48
Mid-grade $4.43 $13.69 $27.37
Premium $4.78 $14.76 $29.53
Diesel $5.62 $17.38 $34.76

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 Madison and Durham. The current time is 04:04:00.

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.