How far is Orange County, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Orange County, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.6 miles (54 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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 00h 59m.
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.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
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 Orange County and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange County and Raleigh.
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1
Start on the route
1197 ft · 16 sec
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2
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Raleigh
1.1 km · 49 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Raleigh
29.8 mi · 34 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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6
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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7
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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8
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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10
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orange County and Raleigh.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Raleigh
29.8 mi · 00h 34m
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 Orange County and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orange County to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Durham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from Orange County and 23.1 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.6 miles (54 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 4:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.87 one way or $11.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Orange County and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Durham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Town of Cary
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durham.
Durham
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Orange County and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 33.57 mi (54.02 km).
#1 Orange County
County in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 149,077 |
| Coordinates | 36.0613000, -79.1206000 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $5.87 | $11.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $6.48 | $12.97 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $7.08 | $14.17 |
| Diesel | $5.84 | $8.76 | $17.53 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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