How far is River Bend, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from River Bend, NC to Durham, NC is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m 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
138.5 mi
02h 19m
Flight
117.41 mi
188.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from River Bend.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.41 mi
Kilometers
188.95 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.5 mi
Kilometers
222.9 km
Drive Time
02h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:30 PM EDT
Return by in River Bend
Thu, Apr 23, 1:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave River Bend
2026-04-22T21:11
Arrive Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:30 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in River Bend
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
Princeton
NC

Town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States

From River Bend
70.8 mi
01h 09m
To Durham
67.7 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
River Bend Weather
NC
Live fallback forecast
82°F
Wednesday
Using James City as the closest live forecast in the Craven County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between River Bend and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between River Bend and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Shoreline Drive

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Shoreline Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto US Highway 17 South

    2.4 mi · 3 min · US Highway 17 South

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    722 ft · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on US 17 North: Washington

    1594 ft · 39 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    5.3 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    26.9 mi · 30 min

  7. 7

    Continue on West New Bern Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West New Bern Road

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on West New Bern Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · West New Bern Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West Vernon Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West Vernon Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    9.6 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Goldsboro Bypass

    20.2 mi · 22 min · Goldsboro Bypass

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    10.4 mi · 14 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    10.1 mi · 13 min

  16. 16

    Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    29.5 mi · 34 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham

    1 km · 44 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street

    769 ft · 19 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between River Bend and Durham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Goldsboro Bypass
43.8 mi · 32%
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
39.5 mi · 28%
US 17 North
32.5 mi · 23%
West Vernon Avenue
11.2 mi · 8%
Durham Freeway
6.72 mi · 5%
West New Bern Road
3.25 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

Merge slight left

29.5 mi · 00h 34m

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
02h 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.1 mi
117.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Princeton
01h 09m from River Bend
Leave By
1:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving River Bend 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 River Bend to Durham?

The road trip is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?

Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.8 miles from River Bend and 67.7 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 1:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.37 one way or $38.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around River Bend and Mostly Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Princeton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Princeton, 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 Princeton.

RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

13 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
BUS

Goldsboro, NC

20 mi away
1615 East Beech Street
RAIL

Wilson

37 mi away
401 East Nash Street
RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

56 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between River Bend and Durham. Straight-line distance: 117.41 mi (188.95 km).

River Bend

#1 River Bend

City in Craven County, North Carolina, United States of America

Population3,006
Coordinates35.0690500, -77.1469000
Altitude4
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: Shoreline Drive (-77.146421, 35.069177)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.89 gal
18.5 L · about $19.37
Round trip
$38.74
9.78 gal · 37 L
Estimated CO2
43.5 kg one way
Round trip: 86.9 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.37 $38.74
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.66 $43.32
Premium $4.78 $23.36 $46.73
Diesel $5.62 $27.50 $55.00

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between River Bend and Durham. The current time is 21:11:43.

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.