Drive Time
37m
Distance
36.8 mi
59 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Curtis Adams
The drive from Knightdale, NC to Durham, NC covers 36.8 miles and takes about 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Smithfield Road, Knightdale Boulevard, I 540 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.89 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Knightdale, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Expect a 37m drive with frequent turns across 36.8 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
The drive from Knightdale, NC to Durham, NC is easy. At 37m 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 Knightdale, NC to Durham, NC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Smithfield Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Knightdale Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 540 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northern Wake Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Glenwood Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| T | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 885 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Knightdale, NC and Durham, NC.
Start on Railroad Street
Turn right onto South Smithfield Road
Turn left onto Knightdale Boulevard
Take the ramp slight right toward I 540 West
Merge slight left onto Northern Wake Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 West: Durham
Merge slight left onto Glenwood Avenue
Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive
Take the ramp slight right toward I 885 North: Durham
Merge slight left onto Durham Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Durham Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
Turn right onto South Roxboro Street
Turn left onto East Main 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 36.8 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durham, NC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Knightdale, 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 Knightdale, NC
This is one driving day of about 36.8 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Knightdale, NC · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 36.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Knightdale, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Durham, 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 Durham, NC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.89 one way
$11.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.42 | $12.83 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.92 | $13.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.18 | $16.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.36 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Knightdale on Sunday
Local time
10:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Durham on Sunday
Local time
10:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
Cary, NC
18 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
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.
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