How far is Raleigh, NC from Hillsborough, NC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Hillsborough, NC is about 38.6 miles (62.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 52m.
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 Raleigh and Hillsborough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Hillsborough.
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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.
27.4 mi · 32 min · Dan K. Moore Frwy.
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Hillsborough
1956 ft · 30 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Old NC 86
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old NC 86
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12
Continue on South Churton Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · South Churton Street
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13
Turn left onto West King Street
29 m · 4 sec · West King Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Hillsborough.
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.
27.4 mi · 00h 32m
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 Raleigh and Sunny near Hillsborough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Hillsborough?
The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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 19.3 miles from Raleigh and 19.3 miles from Hillsborough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.39 one way or $10.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Sunny near Hillsborough.
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 Raleigh and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 33.24 mi (53.49 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 Hillsborough
Town in and county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,226 |
| Coordinates | 36.0754200, -79.0997300 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsborough (-79.09973, 36.07542)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $5.39 | $10.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $6.02 | $12.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $6.50 | $13.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $7.65 | $15.30 |
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.