Origin
Durham, NC
Afternoon in Durham on Thursday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
129.6 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pembroke, NC
Mark Stebnicki
The drive from Durham, NC to Pembroke, NC covers 129.6 miles and takes about 2h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Dillard Street, East Pettigrew Street, Fayetteville Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.27 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.8 miles from Durham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 129.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 2h 35m drive with frequent turns across 129.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Durham, NC to Pembroke, NC is easy. At 2h 35m 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 Durham, NC to Pembroke, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Dillard Street | — | — |
| East Pettigrew Street | — | — |
| Fayetteville Road | — | — |
| Durham Freeway | — | — |
| I 40 East | — | — |
| Thomas Bradshaw Freeway | — | — |
| SR 42 | — | — |
| I-95 South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Pembroke, NC.
Start on East Main Street
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
Turn left onto East Pettigrew Street
Turn right onto Fayetteville Road
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 East: RDU Airport, Raleigh
Merge slight right
Keep slight left
Continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
Keep slight left
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NC 72, NC 711: Lumberton, Pembroke
Turn right onto South Caton Road
Continue on Country Club Drive
Turn left onto Vance Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke, NC than in the middle of the route.
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 129.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.8 mi from Durham, NC · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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.
The final approach into Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.27 one way
$40.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $22.16 | $44.32 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.99 | $47.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.61 | $57.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.61 | $6.22 |
| Efficient EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.34 | $5.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Durham on Thursday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Pembroke on Thursday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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