How far is Rocky Mount, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Rocky Mount, NC to Durham, NC is about 82 miles (132 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.1 miles (99.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m 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
82 mi
01h 18m
Flight
62.09 mi
99.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rocky Mount.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
62.09 mi
Kilometers
99.92 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
82 mi
Kilometers
131.97 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:50 PM EDT
Return by in Rocky Mount
Thu, Apr 23, 1:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rocky Mount
2026-04-22T22:32
Arrive Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:50 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rocky Mount
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
Zebulon
NC

City in Pike County, Georgia, United States

From Rocky Mount
38.2 mi
00h 39m
To Durham
43.8 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Tonight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 9:00 PM EDT
Wind
3 mph W
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 Rocky Mount and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Mount and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Cokey Road

    130 m · 19 sec · Cokey Road

  2. 2

    Turn sharp right onto Hill Street

    1351 ft · 43 sec · Hill Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Arlington Street

    53 m · 4 sec · Arlington Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Arlington Street

    82 m · 7 sec · Arlington Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Atlantic Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    945 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    39.9 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Rolesville Road

    1173 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Rolesville Road

    94 m · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Rolesville Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road

  11. 11

    Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

    2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Horton Road

    2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right

    1943 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham

    2972 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive

    4.1 mi · 6 min · T.W. Alexander Drive

  19. 19

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham

    1358 ft · 33 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  22. 22

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

    769 ft · 19 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rocky Mount and Durham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Atlantic Avenue
41.4 mi · 51%
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 19%
Durham Freeway
5.09 mi · 6%
Buffaloe Road
4.2 mi · 5%
T.W. Alexander Drive
4.06 mi · 5%
Rolesville Road
2.69 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Atlantic Avenue

Merge slight left

39.9 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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
62.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Zebulon
00h 39m from Rocky Mount
Leave By
3:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount to Durham?

The road trip is about 82 miles (132 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Zebulon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.2 miles from Rocky Mount and 43.8 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 62.1 miles (99.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 3:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.45 one way or $22.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Rocky Mount and Mostly Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Zebulon

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Zebulon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 13.7 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Raleigh , NC
13100 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
Rating 4.6/5 86 reviews Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.5 mi away

Clayton Utilities

Clayton , NC
111 E 2nd St, Clayton, NC 27520
Rating 2.0/5 20 reviews City government office,Water utility company
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

City Of Raleigh Fleet Services

Raleigh , NC
2501 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

30 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

Selma–Smithfield

33 mi away
500 East Railroad Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

35 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Wilson

38 mi away
401 East Nash Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rocky Mount and Durham. Straight-line distance: 62.09 mi (99.92 km).

Rocky Mount

#1 Rocky Mount

The most populous city in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

Population53,689
Coordinates35.9382100, -77.7905300
Altitude30
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: Cokey Road (-77.790276, 35.938263)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.89 gal
10.95 L · about $11.45
Round trip
$22.89
5.78 gal · 21.9 L
Estimated CO2
25.7 kg one way
Round trip: 51.4 kg / 113 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.45 $22.89
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.80 $25.60
Premium $4.78 $13.81 $27.62
Diesel $5.62 $16.25 $32.51

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 Rocky Mount and Durham. The current time is 22:32:00.

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.