How far is Nags Head, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Nags Head, NC to Durham, NC is about 219.5 miles (353.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m 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 30m.
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 Martin County, North Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nags Head and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nags Head and Durham.
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1
Start on South Virginia Dare Trail
24 m · 4 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
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2
Turn right onto East Soundside Road
144 m · 25 sec · East Soundside Road
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3
Turn left onto South Croatan Highway
3.8 mi · 6 min · South Croatan Highway
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4
Continue on South Virginia Dare Trail
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Virginia Dare Trail
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5
Continue on Washington Baum Bridge
20.7 mi · 28 min · Washington Baum Bridge
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6
Keep slight left
67.3 mi · 1 hr 27 min
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7
Turn left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
56.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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9
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 30 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road
1173 ft · 29 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road
94 m · 8 sec
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12
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road
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13
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road
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14
Turn right onto Horton Road
2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road
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15
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road
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16
Take the ramp right
1943 ft · 24 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
2972 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue
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20
Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive
4.1 mi · 6 min · T.W. Alexander Drive
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21
Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham
1358 ft · 33 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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25
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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26
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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27
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nags Head and Durham.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Washington Baum Bridge
Keep slight left
67.3 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Nags Head and Partly Sunny near Durham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nags Head to Durham?
The road trip is about 219.5 miles (353.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Robersonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.9 miles from Nags Head and 112.7 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 9:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.70 one way or $61.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Nags Head and Partly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Robersonville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Town Hall
Hamilton Town Office/Municipal Building
Williamston Water Collection
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Robersonville.
Greenville, NC
Rocky Mount
Wilson
Kinston, NC
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nags Head and Durham. Straight-line distance: 183.11 mi (294.68 km).
#1 Nags Head
City in Dare County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,997 |
| Coordinates | 35.9573900, -75.6240600 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $30.70 | $61.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $34.32 | $68.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $37.03 | $74.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $43.59 | $87.17 |
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.