How far is Raleigh, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Durham, NC is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (34 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Wake County, North Carolina, 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 Raleigh and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Durham.
-
1
Start on East South Street
571 ft · 27 sec · East South Street
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2
Turn left onto South Salisbury Street
955 ft · 33 sec · South Salisbury Street
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3
Turn sharp right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2691 ft · 57 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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4
Continue on Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Gorman Street
3221 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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6
Continue on Faircloth Street
2814 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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7
Turn left onto Wade Avenue
2281 ft · 51 sec · Wade Avenue
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8
Continue on Wade Avenue
3.3 mi · 4 min · Wade Avenue
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9
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
8.9 mi · 10 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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14
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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15
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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16
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Durham.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Dan K. Moore Frwy.
Merge slight left onto Dan K. Moore Frwy.
8.91 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Durham?
The road trip is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morrisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.5 miles from Raleigh and 16 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (34 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.00 one way or $8.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Mostly Sunny near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Morrisville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger & Beer Durham
Garner Town Hall
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Holly Springs Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morrisville.
Cary
North Carolina State Fair station
Raleigh Union Station
Durham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Durham. Straight-line distance: 21.14 mi (34.02 km).
#1 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 |
#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: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.47 | $8.95 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.83 | $9.65 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.68 | $11.36 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.