How far is Wrightsville Beach, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance from Wrightsville Beach, NC to Durham, NC is about 155.7 miles (250.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.2 miles (222.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Sampson County, North Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wrightsville Beach and Durham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wrightsville Beach and Durham.
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1
Start on Causeway Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Causeway Drive
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2
Continue on Wrightsville Avenue
1274 ft · 31 sec · Wrightsville Avenue
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3
Continue on Eastwood Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Eastwood Road
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4
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
1.1 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
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5
Turn right onto North College Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · North College Road
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6
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Michael Jordan Highway
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7
Keep slight left
33.5 mi · 38 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
1 km · 44 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Durham Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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12
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
604 ft · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
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13
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
1625 ft · 49 sec · South Roxboro Street
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14
Turn left onto East Main Street
30 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wrightsville Beach and Durham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Michael Jordan Highway
Continue on Michael Jordan Highway
107 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Wrightsville Beach 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 Wrightsville Beach to Durham?
The road trip is about 155.7 miles (250.6 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Keener is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.7 miles from Wrightsville Beach and 78 miles from Durham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.2 miles (222.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 1:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.75 one way or $43.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Wrightsville Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Durham.
Stop Ideas Near Keener
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Keener.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wrightsville Beach and Durham. Straight-line distance: 138.21 mi (222.42 km).
#1 Wrightsville Beach
City in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 2,516 |
| Coordinates | 34.2085000, -77.7963700 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Durham
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
| Population | 285,897 |
| Coordinates | 35.9940300, -78.8986200 |
| Altitude | 123 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.898591, 35.994064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $21.75 | $43.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.32 | $48.63 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.23 | $52.46 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $30.88 | $61.75 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.