How far is Wendell, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Wendell, NC to Durham, NC is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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
42.64 mi
00h 45m
Flight
33.06 mi
53.21 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wendell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.06 mi
Kilometers
53.21 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.64 mi
Kilometers
68.63 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM EDT
Return by in Wendell
Thu, Apr 23, 5:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wendell
2026-04-23T04:16
Arrive Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wendell
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
West Raleigh
NC

A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.

From Wendell
19.1 mi
00h 22m
To Durham
23.5 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wendell and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    12 m · 3 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1213 ft · 57 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Wendell Boulevard

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Wendell Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Rolesville Road

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Rolesville Road

  5. 5

    Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

    2050 ft · 39 sec · Marks Creek Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Horton Road

    2310 ft · 44 sec · Horton Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Buffaloe Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1943 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

    15.4 mi · 17 min · Northern Wake Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham

    2972 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive

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

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham

    1358 ft · 34 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  16. 16

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

    769 ft · 19 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wendell 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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northern Wake Expressway
15.4 mi · 36%
Durham Freeway
5.09 mi · 12%
Buffaloe Road
4.2 mi · 10%
T.W. Alexander Drive
4.06 mi · 10%
Wendell Boulevard
3.33 mi · 8%
Rolesville Road
2.78 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Northern Wake Expressway

Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway

15.4 mi · 00h 17m

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
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
33.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Raleigh
00h 22m from Wendell
Leave By
4:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Wendell and Sunny near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wendell to Durham?

The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?

West Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Wendell and 23.5 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 4:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.98 one way or $11.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wendell and Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near West Raleigh

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 West Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 4.8 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Raleigh , NC
13100 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
Rating 4.6/5 86 reviews Restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 13.8 mi away

Garner Town Hall

Garner , NC
900 7th Ave, Garner, NC 27529
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,Park
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall
Practical stop 12.3 mi away

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Morrisville - Town Hall

Morrisville , NC
101 Morrisville Square Way Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Rating 4.7/5 26 reviews Learning center,After school program,Tutoring service
Town of Cary
Meeting point 11.4 mi away

Town of Cary

Cary , NC
316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513
Rating 3.5/5 26 reviews Association or organization,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Raleigh.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

2 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

4 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

10 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

32 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wendell and Durham. Straight-line distance: 33.06 mi (53.21 km).

Wendell

#1 Wendell

Town in North Carolina, United States

Population9,387
Coordinates35.7809900, -78.3697200
Altitude97
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: East 3rd Street (-78.369715, 35.781034)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.51 gal
5.7 L · about $5.98
Round trip
$11.96
3.02 gal · 11.4 L
Estimated CO2
13.4 kg one way
Round trip: 26.8 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $5.98 $11.96
Mid-grade $4.43 $6.69 $13.38
Premium $4.78 $7.21 $14.43
Diesel $5.62 $8.49 $16.98

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 Wendell and Durham. The current time is 04:16:47.

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.