Origin
Durham, NC
Morning in Durham on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durham, NC to Washington, NC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
126.7 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Durham, NC to Washington, NC covers 126.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 264, Northern Wake Expressway, I 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.7 miles on US 264. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.81 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
63.4 miles from Durham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 126.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 31m highway drive covering 126.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 264 and Northern Wake Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.7 miles on US 264.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 264 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 264 and Northern Wake Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Dillard Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 126.7 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 0.2 miles (South Dillard Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Dillard Street
Turn right onto South Dillard Street
Navigation decision point
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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Durham, NC and Washington, NC, road signs point toward Rdu Airport, Greenville and Downtown.
Rdu Airport
10.2 mi in
|
~16m
Greenville
101.6 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via Stantonsburg Road
Downtown
101.6 mi in
|
~1h 55m
|
via Stantonsburg Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 264 | 73.7 mi | 1h 24m |
| Northern Wake Expressway | 21.2 mi | 22m |
| I 87 | 13.2 mi | 14m |
| New Raleigh Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Stantonsburg Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| South Memorial Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| Durham Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Glenwood Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 264
— 73.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Washington, 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 right at fork onto US 264
56 mi
·
59 min
·
US 264
18
Turn straight onto Stantonsburg Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Stantonsburg Road
Toward Greenville, Downtown
19
Turn left onto US 13; NC 11; NC 43; NC 903
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Memorial Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Airport Road
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Airport Road
21
Continue on Mumford Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Mumford Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto NC 33
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pactolus Highway
23
Continue on US 264
18 mi
·
24 min
·
US 264
24
Arrive at destination
US 264; NC 92
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Durham, NC, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.7 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.4 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 126.7 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 264 for about 73.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.4 mi from Durham, NC · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 264 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.7 miles.
Arriving in Washington, NC
The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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
$19.81 one way
$39.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.66 | $43.33 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.45 | $46.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.97 | $55.95 |
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: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Washington, NC
Morning in Washington on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Sharpsburg, NC
63 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
22 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
2h 31m 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 Washington, NC covers 126.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 264, Northern Wake Expressway, I 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.4 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 $19.81 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 126.7 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 0.2 miles (South Dillard Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Fayetteville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Between Durham, NC and Washington, NC, road signs point toward Rdu Airport, Greenville and Downtown.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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