Origin
Dunn, NC
Night in Dunn on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
65.3 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunn, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dunn to Durham covers 65.3 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes. This straightforward journey connects two points within the Southeast region of North Carolina, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $10 to complete the one-way transit. Navigating this route involves a mix of I-40, I-40 West, and I-885 North. Because the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to structure your schedule around your own needs rather than worrying about long stretches of road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
32.6 miles from Dunn, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating a series of transitions between I-40 and I-885 North, which keeps the experience engaging rather than repetitive. There is no long, uninterrupted stretch of highway here, as the longest segment on I-40 is 0 miles. This isn't a high-speed highway-dominated haul, but rather a practical connection that requires your full attention on the road layout. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that shifts frequently as you move toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | — | — |
| I 40 West | — | — |
| I 885 North | — | — |
| Durham Freeway | — | — |
| Jackie Robinson Drive | — | — |
| South Roxboro Street | — | — |
| East Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 40
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunn, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on East Cumberland Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Cumberland Street
2
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
3
Merge slight left
7.1 mi
·
8 min
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40 West: Raleigh
6
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
15 min
7
Keep slight left
33 mi
·
38 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 885 North: Downtown Durham
9
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Durham Freeway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Durham Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
12
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive
13
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
14
Turn left onto East Main Street
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 65.3-mile trip, you can easily complete the drive in one day without needing scheduled rest stops. To make the most of your travel time, try to avoid peak commuter hours when transitioning between these major thoroughfares. Keep your fuel tank in mind before heading out, as $10 should cover your primary expenses, but local traffic patterns can sometimes impact efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS directions before merging onto I-885 North to ensure you don't miss your exit. This short distance offers you the advantage of total flexibility, allowing you to depart whenever it best fits your personal itinerary.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.6 miles from Dunn, NC, or about 31m into the drive.
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 14 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.6 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
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 Dunn, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dunn, NC
This is one driving day of about 65.3 miles and 1h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Dunn, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.6 mi from Dunn, NC · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.6 miles from Dunn, 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
$10.21 one way
$20.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.17 | $22.33 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.09 | $24.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.42 | $28.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.86 | $3.13 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Night in Durham on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m 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 Dunn, NC to Durham, NC covers 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 40 West, I 885 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.6 miles from Dunn, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.21 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.
The drive from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dunn, NC to Durham, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Durham, NC
More from Dunn, NC
More trips to Durham, NC
Explore more options from Dunn, NC or browse trips ending in Durham, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Dunn, NC or Durham, NC on MapSof.net.