Origin
Durham, NC
Night in Durham on Tuesday
Local time
10:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durham, NC to Badin, NC
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
116.3 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Badin, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 116.3-mile journey from Durham, NC to Badin, NC is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-85 and NC-49, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a good option for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical choice for exploring within the Southeast region. The drive offers a practical way to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
58.1 miles from Durham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 92% of the drive taking place on faster roads like I-85 and the Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 40.6 miles on I-85, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the route is largely efficient, the transition onto NC-49 will introduce a different road character. This drive is best characterized by its focus on covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and NC 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 116.3 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 0.1 miles (US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 85; US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Merge onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 85; US 70
Merge onto I 85; US 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29 toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 40.6 mi | 46m |
| NC 49 | 25.5 mi | 33m |
| Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| I 40 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| East Gold Street | 7.5 mi | 12m |
| I 73 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Durham Freeway | 5 mi | 6m |
| NC 8 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 40.6 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Badin, NC.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Mangum Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto Jackie Robinson Drive
214 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive
4
Take the ramp
505 ft
·
12 sec
5
Merge onto NC 147
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Durham Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 85; US 70
41 mi
·
46 min
·
I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 29
Toward I 85 Business South, US 29 South, US 70 West: Charlotte
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 220
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 73; I 74; US 220
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 73; I 74; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
206 ft
·
4 sec
14
Turn slight right onto Albemarle Road
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Albemarle Road
15
Continue on NC 49
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
NC 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NC 49
16 mi
·
19 min
·
NC 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight left onto NC 8
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
NC 8
18
Turn left onto NC 740
7.5 mi
·
12 min
·
East Gold Street
19
Arrive at destination
NC 740
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour and 24-minute duration, this route is perfect for a day trip, allowing you to leave Durham at your leisure. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, though plan for fuel before you depart, as the estimated $18 cost suggests a straightforward drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 40.6-mile stretch on I-85, as services can be more spread out on interstates. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic out of Durham.
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 58.1 miles from Durham, NC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.6 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Badin, 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 116.3 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Durham, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 40.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Durham, NC · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.1 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Badin, NC
The final approach into Badin, 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 Badin, 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
$18.19 one way
$36.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.89 | $39.77 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.52 | $43.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.68 | $51.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.21 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.18 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.28 | $7.44 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Badin, NC
Night in Badin on Tuesday
Local time
10:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
2h 24m 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 Durham, NC to Badin, NC covers 116.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, NC 49, Governor John Motley Morehead Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.1 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 $18.19 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 116.3 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 0.1 miles (US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 85; US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Durham, NC to Badin, 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 Badin, NC
More trips to Badin, NC
Explore more options from Durham, NC or browse trips ending in Badin, NC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.
Explore maps for Durham, NC or Badin, NC on MapSof.net.