How far is Pilot Mountain, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Pilot Mountain, NC to Durham, NC is about 106.2 miles (170.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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
106.2 mi
01h 44m
Flight
91.7 mi
147.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pilot Mountain.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.7 mi
Kilometers
147.57 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.2 mi
Kilometers
170.91 km
Drive Time
01h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Fri, Apr 17, 5:19 PM EDT
Return by in Pilot Mountain
Fri, Apr 17, 7:03 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pilot Mountain
2026-04-17T15:35
Arrive Durham
Fri, Apr 17, 5:19 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pilot Mountain
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
Greensboro
NC

The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.

From Pilot Mountain
51.7 mi
00h 52m
To Durham
54.5 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph W
Destination
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Pilot Mountain and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pilot Mountain and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on North Key Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Key Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Key Street

    27 m · 2 sec · South Key Street

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto South Key Street

    531 ft · 11 sec · South Key Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    57 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    67 m · 4 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    865 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    14.7 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on NC 74 East

    13.3 mi · 16 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 421 South: Greensboro

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Salem Parkway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Salem Parkway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

    7.8 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight right

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 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 Pilot Mountain 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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
46.3 mi · 44%
South Key Street
15.1 mi · 14%
NC 74 East
13.3 mi · 13%
Salem Parkway
11.4 mi · 11%
I 85 North
9.37 mi · 9%
Durham Freeway
5.21 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight left

36.8 mi · 00h 43m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
91.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greensboro
00h 52m from Pilot Mountain
Leave By
3:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Pilot Mountain and Sunny near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pilot Mountain to Durham?

The road trip is about 106.2 miles (170.9 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?

Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.7 miles from Pilot Mountain and 54.5 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 3:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.85 one way or $29.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Pilot Mountain and Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Greensboro

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greensboro, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

J. Douglas Galyon Depot

4 mi away
236 East Washington Street
RAIL

High Point

23 mi away
100 West High St
RAIL

Burlington

32 mi away
101 North Main Street
BUS

Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car

39 mi away
601 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pilot Mountain and Durham. Straight-line distance: 91.7 mi (147.57 km).

Pilot Mountain

#1 Pilot Mountain

City in Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, United States of America

Population1,408
Coordinates36.3865300, -80.4695000
Altitude352
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: North Key Street (-80.469694, 36.386626)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 171 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.75 gal
14.19 L · about $14.85
Round trip
$29.71
7.5 gal · 28.38 L
Estimated CO2
33.3 kg one way
Round trip: 66.7 kg / 147 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.85 $29.71
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.61 $33.22
Premium $4.78 $17.92 $35.83
Diesel $5.62 $21.09 $42.18

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 · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Pilot Mountain and Durham. The current time is 15:35:09.

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.