Origin
Archdale, NC
Evening in Archdale on Friday
Local time
7:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Archdale, NC to Durham, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Archdale, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
This straightforward 68.1-mile drive from Archdale, NC, to Durham, NC, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I-40 and I-85. Budget around $11 for fuel, making it an economical option. Given its short duration and highway-centric profile, it's a practical choice for a quick transfer between these two North Carolina locations within the Southeast region. You won't need an overnight stop for this journey.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 68.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 68.1-mile trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major interstates, specifically I-40 and I-85, with a brief stint on US-29. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.8 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace. This route is designed for efficient travel, meaning you'll experience the feel of a modern interstate system for nearly the entire duration, minimizing complex navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in near US 29.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.8 miles (I 85; NC 86 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
10.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29, US 70
6
16.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 85; NC 86 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck toward I 85 North: Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Durham
8
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke Univ...
7
67.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Archdale, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.
Duke University
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via NC 147
Carolina Central University
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via NC 147
Research Triangle Park
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via NC 147
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 36.8 mi | 42m |
| I 85 | 17.9 mi | 19m |
| US 29 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Durham Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| North Main Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Roxboro Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Morehead Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 36.8 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Archdale, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
3
Merge onto I 85
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 29
Toward US 29, US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 85; NC 86 Truck
Toward I 85 North: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Durham Freeway
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
512 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Morehead Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Morehead Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Main Street
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34 mi from Archdale, NC · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34 miles from Archdale, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Durham, NC
The final approach into Durham, NC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.65 one way
$21.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.64 | $23.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.60 | $25.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.04 | $30.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Durham, NC
Evening in Durham on Friday
Local time
7:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Archdale, NC to Durham, NC covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 85, US 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34 miles from Archdale, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.8 miles (I 85; NC 86 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Archdale, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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