How far is South Gastonia, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from South Gastonia, NC to Durham, NC is about 165.2 miles (265.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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
165.2 mi
02h 40m
Flight
140.21 mi
225.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Gastonia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.21 mi
Kilometers
225.65 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.2 mi
Kilometers
265.86 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Sun, Apr 19, 7:06 AM EDT
Return by in South Gastonia
Sun, Apr 19, 9:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Gastonia
2026-04-19T04:26
Arrive Durham
Sun, Apr 19, 7:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Gastonia
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
Lexington
NC

City in and county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States

From South Gastonia
81.9 mi
01h 20m
To Durham
83.3 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Gastonia and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Gastonia and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Becky Avenue

    10 m · 3 sec · Becky Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Weston Avenue

    738 ft · 35 sec · Weston Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Davis Park Road

    1677 ft · 45 sec · Davis Park Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto York Highway

    1298 ft · 22 sec · York Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on South York Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · South York Road

  6. 6

    Continue on South York Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South York Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Long Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Long Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on East Ozark Avenue

    2177 ft · 45 sec · East Ozark Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 85 North

    1435 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

    59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Cameron Morrison Bridge

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point

    32.8 mi · 35 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Durham

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Durham Freeway

    5.2 mi · 7 min · Durham Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street

    156 m · 13 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on Morehead Avenue

    854 ft · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Roxboro Street

    1963 ft · 59 sec · South Roxboro Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Gastonia 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
21 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Cameron Morrison Bridge
59.4 mi · 36%
US 29
42.7 mi · 26%
I 85 North
42.5 mi · 26%
Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
8.25 mi · 5%
Durham Freeway
5.21 mi · 3%
South York Road
1.58 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Cameron Morrison Bridge

Continue on Cameron Morrison Bridge

59.4 mi · 01h 09m

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 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
140.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 20m from South Gastonia
Leave By
1:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving South Gastonia and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Gastonia to Durham?

The road trip is about 165.2 miles (265.9 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.9 miles from South Gastonia and 83.3 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 1:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.09 one way or $46.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Gastonia and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

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

RAIL

Lexington

Center St. and railroad tracks
RAIL

Salisbury

25 mi away
Depot and Liberty Sts.
RAIL

High Point

27 mi away
100 West High St
BUS

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

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Gastonia and Durham. Straight-line distance: 140.21 mi (225.65 km).

South Gastonia

#1 South Gastonia

Unincorporated community

Population5,312
Coordinates35.2193000, -81.2056300
Altitude221
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: Becky Avenue (-81.205769, 35.219877)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 266 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.83 gal
22.07 L · about $23.09
Round trip
$46.19
11.66 gal · 44.14 L
Estimated CO2
51.8 kg one way
Round trip: 103.6 kg / 228 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.09 $46.19
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.82 $51.64
Premium $4.78 $27.86 $55.71
Diesel $5.62 $32.79 $65.58

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between South Gastonia and Durham. The current time is 04:26:23.

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.