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Trip from Durham, NC to Buxton, NC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

262.9 mi

423 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 21m ★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Buxton, NC, NC

Buxton, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

The drive from Durham, NC to Buxton, NC covers 262.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 64, United States Highway 64 East, NC 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.8 miles on US 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.11 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

131.4 miles from Durham, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 262.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 34m highway drive covering 262.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 64 and United States Highway 64 East. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.8 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 29 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 105.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Highway 64 East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Fayetteville Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 262.9 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 0.5 miles (Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Fayetteville Road

Turn right onto Fayetteville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg

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. Exit 1A Toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg
7
10.3 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 540 East: Wake Forest

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 540 East: Wake Forest
6
125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | US 64 ALT

Turn right onto US 64 ALT

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 105.8 mi 2h 1m
United States Highway 64 East 40.5 mi 49m
NC 12 24.6 mi 42m
Cape Hatteras National Park Road 23.6 mi 33m
Northern Wake Expressway 21.2 mi 22m
US 64 ALT 20.2 mi 28m
I 87 13.2 mi 14m
New Raleigh Highway 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 105.8 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Buxton, NC.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn right onto South Dillard Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Dillard Street
3

Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Pettigrew Street
4

Turn right onto Fayetteville Road

472 ft · 21 sec · Fayetteville Road
Use the right lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto NC 147

2.0 mi · 2 min · Durham Freeway
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward I 885 North: Greensboro, Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 885

0.4 mi · 25 sec · East End Connector
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Exit 10 Toward US 70 East: Raleigh
10

Merge onto US 70

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Miami Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · New Raleigh Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Continue on US 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Glenwood Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 540: Wake Forest, RDU Airport
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 540 East: Wake Forest Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 540

21 mi · 22 min · Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264

13 mi · 14 min · I 87; US 64; US 264
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

80 mi · 1 hr 26 min · US 64
18

Turn right onto US 64 ALT

20 mi · 28 min · US 64 ALT
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 64; NC 32

1.0 mi · 1 min · United States Highway 64 East
20

Continue on US 64; NC 32

2.3 mi · 3 min · U.S. Highway 64 East
21

Continue on US 64

40 mi · 47 min · United States Highway 64 East
Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64

26 mi · 35 min · US 64
23

Continue on US 64; SR 1540

0.2 mi · 15 sec · South Virginia Dare Trail
24

Turn right onto NC 12

24 mi · 33 min · Cape Hatteras National Park Road
25

Enter roundabout onto NC 12

71 ft · 1 sec · NC 12
26

Continue on NC 12

25 mi · 42 min · NC 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Turn left

99 ft · 8 sec
28

Turn right

12 ft · 1 sec
29

Arrive at destination

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 131.4 miles from Durham, NC, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131.4 miles or 2h 30m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buxton, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Durham, 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 Durham, NC

This is one driving day of about 262.9 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Durham, 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 105.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 131.4 mi from Durham, NC · 2h 30m into the drive

Downtown Plymouth, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, NC

131 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

Rocky Mount, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.4 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.8 miles.

Arriving in Buxton, NC

The final approach into Buxton, 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 Buxton, NC.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

National Seashore

The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants,...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 253.8
Park Closure: Beach fires temporarily banned due to dry conditions and statewide burn ban
Park Closure: Beach safety closure in place from Buxton Village to near Ramp 43
View on nps.gov
Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial

National Memorial

Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour $10 near mile 208.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.11 one way

$82.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $44.95 $89.90
premium $4.70 $48.66 $97.31
diesel $5.61 $58.05 $116.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.9 0 $27.60 $12.62
Efficient EV 65.7 0 $23.00 $10.52
EV Truck/SUV 105.2 1 $36.81 $16.83

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Durham, NC

Afternoon in Durham on Thursday

Local time

2:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buxton, NC

Afternoon in Buxton on Thursday

Local time

2:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Plymouth, NC

131 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 34m 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 Durham, NC to Buxton, NC covers 262.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, United States Highway 64 East, NC 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.4 miles from Durham, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.11 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 20 significant decision points across 262.9 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 0.5 miles (Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Durham, NC to Buxton, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Buxton, NC to Durham, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

258.4 mi 5h 32m

Continue From Buxton, NC

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