How far is Oak Island, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Oak Island, NC to Durham, NC is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oak Island and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Island and Durham.
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1
Start on South Middleton Avenue
1405 ft · 36 sec · South Middleton Avenue
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2
Continue on North Middleton Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Middleton Street
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3
Continue on Midway Road Southeast
6.5 mi · 9 min · Midway Road Southeast
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4
Turn right onto Old Ocean Highway
2380 ft · 41 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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5
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street
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6
Continue on Old Ocean Highway
1679 ft · 35 sec · Old Ocean Highway
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7
Turn right onto Ocean Highway East
8 mi · 11 min · Ocean Highway East
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern
19.7 mi · 22 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1527 ft · 37 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway
103.3 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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12
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 38 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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17
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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18
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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19
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oak Island 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.
Michael Jordan Highway
Merge slight left onto Michael Jordan Highway
103 mi · 01h 51m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Oak Island 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 Oak Island to Durham?
The road trip is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Warsaw is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.2 miles from Oak Island and 93.4 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.1 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 12:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.06 one way or $52.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Oak Island and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Warsaw
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 Warsaw.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oak Island and Durham. Straight-line distance: 149.49 mi (240.58 km).
#1 Oak Island
City in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 8,735 |
| Coordinates | 33.9165600, -78.1611100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 300 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $26.06 | $52.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $29.14 | $58.29 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.44 | $62.88 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $37.01 | $74.01 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.