How far is Morehead City, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Morehead City, NC to Durham, NC is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Morehead City and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morehead City and Durham.
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1
Start on the route
75 m · 23 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 18th Street
38 m · 6 sec · North 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Arendell Street
69.2 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Arendell Street
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4
Continue on West New Bern Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road
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6
Continue on West Vernon Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue
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7
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 11 min
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8
Continue on Goldsboro Bypass
20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass
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9
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 14 min
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11
Continue straight
2 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left
10.1 mi · 13 min
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13
Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
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14
Merge slight left
29.5 mi · 34 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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19
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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20
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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21
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morehead City and Durham.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Arendell Street
Turn right onto Arendell Street
69.2 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Morehead City 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 Morehead City to Durham?
The road trip is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km) and usually takes 03h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Elroy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.4 miles from Morehead City and 86.7 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.36 one way or $48.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Morehead City and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Elroy
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 Elroy.
Goldsboro, NC
Kinston, NC
Selma–Smithfield
Wilson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morehead City and Durham. Straight-line distance: 150.66 mi (242.46 km).
#1 Morehead City
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 9,669 |
| Coordinates | 34.7229400, -76.7260400 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.36 | $48.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.24 | $54.48 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.38 | $58.77 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.59 | $69.18 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.