Trip from Green Level, NC to Durham, NC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

44m

Distance

31.5 mi

51 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min

4 AM

0h 40m ★

6 AM

0h 44m

8 AM

0h 51m

10 AM

0h 47m

12 PM

0h 46m

3 PM

0h 47m

5 PM

0h 51m

8 PM

0h 42m

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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Green Level, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 31.5-mile drive from Green Level, NC to Durham, NC is a quick trip, taking approximately 44 minutes. It's an easy one-day excursion, perfect for a short getaway without needing an overnight stay. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 80% of the journey on major interstates like I-40 and I-85, plus the Durham Freeway. Expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this short hop. Since both locations are within the Southeast region and the same state (NC), you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your journey.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 31.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 80% of this route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I-40 and I-85, experiencing the typical flow of faster-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.1 miles on I-40, offering a sustained period of highway cruising. While the drive is efficient, it's characterized by its consistent interstate nature rather than winding backroads, making it a straightforward and predictable journey.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

698 ft 402 ft

Total Climb

171 ft

Total Descent

386 ft

Highest Point

698 ft

~11.3 mi in

Elevation Range

296 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hilldale Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hilldale Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Greenway Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.3 miles (I 85; NC 86 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Hilldale Street

Turn left onto Hilldale Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | Greenway Street

Turn right onto Greenway Street

Navigation decision point

16.3 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 85; NC 86 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck toward I 85 North: Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North: Durham

25.7 mi into trip | ~35m in | NC 147 / Durham Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke Univ...

30.9 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Green Level, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.

Duke University

25.7 mi in | ~35m | via NC 147

Carolina Central University

25.7 mi in | ~35m | via NC 147

Research Triangle Park

25.7 mi in | ~35m | via NC 147

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	10.1 mi	11m
I 85	9.4 mi	10m
Durham Freeway	5.2 mi	6m
Trollingwood Hawfields Road	1.7 mi	3m
Stone Street	1.6 mi	2m
Roxboro Street	0.9 mi	2m
North NC 49	0.7 mi	1m
North Wilkins Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 10.1 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Evergreen Avenue

180 ft · 13 sec · Evergreen Avenue

Turn left onto Hilldale Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Hilldale Street

Turn left onto Pinebrook Drive

351 ft · 17 sec · Pinebrook Drive

Turn right onto Greenway Street

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Greenway Street

At end of road, turn left onto NC 49

0.7 mi · 1 min · North NC 49

Continue on NC 49

0.9 mi · 2 min · Roxboro Street

Turn left onto Bason Road

57 ft · 1 sec · Bason Road

Turn right onto North Wilkins Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Wilkins Road

Continue on Trollingwood Road

449 ft · 15 sec · Trollingwood Road

Turn left onto Stone Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · Stone Street

Turn right onto Trollingwood Hawfields Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Trollingwood Hawfields Road

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 40; I 85

10 mi · 11 min · I 40; I 85

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck

9.4 mi · 10 min · I 85; NC 86 Truck

Toward I 85 North: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147

5.2 mi · 6 min · Durham Freeway

Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

512 ft · 12 sec

Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on Morehead Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.4 mi · 58 sec · South Roxboro Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East Main Street

100 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.93 one way

$9.85 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$5.39	$10.77
premium	$4.70	$5.83	$11.66
diesel	$5.61	$6.95	$13.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	9.5	$3.31	$1.51
Efficient EV	7.9	$2.76	$1.26
EV Truck/SUV	12.6	$4.41	$2.02

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Green Level, NC

Afternoon in Green Level on Thursday

Local time

2:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Afternoon in Durham on Thursday

Local time

2:30 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

2 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

44m 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 Green Level, NC to Durham, NC covers 31.5 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 85, Durham Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 15.8 miles from Green Level, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.93 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.

Between Green Level, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 402 ft to 698 ft elevation with about 171 ft of total climbing.

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