Origin
Buxton, NC
Evening in Buxton on Thursday
Local time
7:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buxton, NC to Durham, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 32m
Distance
258.4 mi
416 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 19m
★
6 AM
5h 33m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buxton, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Buxton, NC to Durham, NC covers 258.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 64, US 13, US 64 Bypass for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.3 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.2 miles from Buxton, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 258.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 32m highway drive covering 258.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and US 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.3 miles on US 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.4 miles in near US 64.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 258.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 70.4 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 255.2 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
US 64
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
224 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
8
255.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
|
NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 9
Toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown
7
257.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
7
258.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
|
US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Roxboro Street
Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Roxboro Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 67.3 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 13 | 58.3 mi | 1h 3m |
| US 64 Bypass | 27.8 mi | 29m |
| North Carolina Highway 12 | 24.6 mi | 42m |
| NC 12 | 23.6 mi | 33m |
| Washington Baum Bridge | 20.7 mi | 27m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| Durham Freeway | 5.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buxton, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on this road
12 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
99 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right onto NC 12
25 mi
·
42 min
·
North Carolina Highway 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto NC 12
194 ft
·
3 sec
·
NC 12
5
Continue on NC 12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
NC 12
6
Turn left onto US 64; SR 1521
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Virginia Dare Trail
7
Continue on US 64
21 mi
·
27 min
·
Washington Baum Bridge
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
US 64
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 13; US 17
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 13; US 17
10
Continue on US 13; US 64
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 13; US 64
11
Continue on US 64 Bypass
28 mi
·
29 min
·
US 64 Bypass
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
309 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 14
Toward Rolesville Road
14
Turn right onto Rolesville Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Rolesville Road
15
Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Marks Creek Road
16
Turn right onto Horton Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Horton Road
17
Turn right onto Buffaloe Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
19
Merge onto I 540
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 70
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
22
Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
T.W. Alexander Drive
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 885 North: Durham
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto I 885
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Durham Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto NC 147
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Durham Freeway
Exit 9
Toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown
Use the slight left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive
28
Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto East Main Street
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 129.2 miles from Buxton, NC, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durham, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buxton, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buxton, NC
This is one driving day of about 258.4 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Buxton, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 64 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.2 mi from Buxton, NC · 3h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.2 miles from Buxton, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Durham, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.41 one way
$80.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $44.18 | $88.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.82 | $95.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.05 | $114.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
| Efficient EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.61 | $10.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.18 | $16.54 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Thursday
Local time
7:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Plymouth, NC
129 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
14 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
5h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buxton, NC to Durham, NC covers 258.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, US 13, US 64 Bypass. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.2 miles from Buxton, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 258.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.4 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 255.2 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Buxton, NC to Durham, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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