How far is Wilsons Mills, NC from Durham, NC?

The driving distance from Wilsons Mills, NC to Durham, NC is about 51 miles (82.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.6 miles (66.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
50.99 mi
00h 51m
Flight
41.57 mi
66.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wilsons Mills.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.57 mi
Kilometers
66.9 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.99 mi
Kilometers
82.06 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Sat, Apr 18, 7:48 AM EDT
Return by in Wilsons Mills
Sat, Apr 18, 8:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wilsons Mills
2026-04-18T06:56
Arrive Durham
Sat, Apr 18, 7:48 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wilsons Mills
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
Raleigh
NC

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.

From Wilsons Mills
25.7 mi
00h 25m
To Durham
25.4 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wilsons Mills and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on Fire Department Road

    847 ft · 24 sec · Fire Department Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Wilson's Mills Road

    1013 ft · 24 sec · Wilson's Mills Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Swift Creek Road

    1880 ft · 55 sec · Swift Creek Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1214 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    3 mi · 4 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

    10 mi · 11 min · Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    29.5 mi · 34 min

  8. 8

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

    1 km · 44 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

  11. 11

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

    769 ft · 19 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

    604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Roxboro Street

    1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilsons Mills 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
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clayton Bypass Scenic Byway
39.5 mi · 77%
Durham Freeway
6.72 mi · 13%
Swift Creek Road
3.56 mi · 7%
I 885 North
0.64 mi · 1%
South Roxboro Street
0.31 mi · 1%
Jackie Robinson Drive
0.26 mi · 1%
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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
41.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Raleigh
00h 25m from Wilsons Mills
Leave By
4:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Wilsons Mills 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 Wilsons Mills to Durham?

The road trip is about 51 miles (82.1 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Raleigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.7 miles from Wilsons Mills and 25.4 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 41.6 miles (66.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 $7.13 one way or $14.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilsons Mills and Mostly Sunny near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near 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 Raleigh and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Food stop 9.8 mi away

Town Hall Burger and Beer

Holly Springs , NC
301 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Rating 4.3/5 262 reviews Restaurant,Family restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Garner Town Hall
Scenic stop 4.3 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 10.4 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 7 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 Raleigh.

RAIL

Raleigh Union Station

1 mi away
320 West Cabarrus Street
RAIL

North Carolina State Fair station

7 mi away
1025 Blue Ridge Blvd.
RAIL

Cary

13 mi away
211 North Academy Street
RAIL

Durham

35 mi away
400 W. Chapel Hill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wilsons Mills and Durham. Straight-line distance: 41.57 mi (66.9 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Wilsons Mills

Park in the United States of America

Population2,277
Coordinates35.5840500, -78.3558300
Altitude70
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: Fire Department Road (-78.355813, 35.58404)
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.8 gal
6.81 L · about $7.13
Round trip
$14.26
3.6 gal · 13.62 L
Estimated CO2
16 kg one way
Round trip: 32 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.13 $14.26
Mid-grade $4.43 $7.97 $15.94
Premium $4.78 $8.60 $17.20
Diesel $5.62 $10.12 $20.25

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

There is no time difference between Wilsons Mills and Durham. The current time is 06:56:23.

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.