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Trip from Moyock, NC to Durham, NC

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

180.5 mi

291 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

Trip Overview

Spanning 180.5 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Moyock to Durham typically takes about 3 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to budget roughly $29 for fuel, making this a relatively affordable trek through the Southeast. The journey utilizes a combination of US 158, I-85, and the Julian R. Allsbrook Highway to connect the northeastern corner of the state to the central hub of Durham. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that favors efficiency over sightseeing.

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

90.3 miles from Moyock, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by highway travel, as 69% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57 miles while navigating US 158, which requires steady focus behind the wheel. The route transitions from the quiet corridors of the northeast into the more heavily trafficked arteries leading toward the city. While the drive is largely functional, the shift between the Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and the interstate network provides a distinct change in pace. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience that prioritizes reaching your destination promptly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 158 is the longest continuous segment at about 57 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 158 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Mills Road.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 180.5 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 0.3 miles (South Mills Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (NC 343 / NC Highway 343 South): Navigation decision point; at 126.9 miles (US 1; US 158): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

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

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Mills Road

Turn left onto South Mills Road

Navigation decision point

5
11.2 mi into trip | ~22m in | NC 343 / NC Highway 343 South

At end of road, turn right onto NC 343 / NC Highway 343 South

Navigation decision point

5
126.9 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | US 1; US 158

At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158

Navigation decision point

6
137.9 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in | I 85

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
178.5 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward US 15 Business, US 501 Business, NC 55: Downtown Durham

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. Toward US 15 Business, US 501 Business, NC 55:...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 158 57 mi 1h 12m
I 85 42.5 mi 46m
Julian R Allsbrook Highway 26.1 mi 31m
Jackson Bypass Road 10.6 mi 18m
US 1 8.7 mi 10m
US 13 6.4 mi 7m
US 158 Bypass 5.1 mi 5m
South Mills Road 4.9 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US 158 — 57 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NC 168

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Caratoke Highway
2

Turn left onto South Mills Road

4.9 mi · 7 min · South Mills Road
3

Continue on Old Swamp Road

4.7 mi · 11 min · Old Swamp Road
4

Turn right onto Bunker Hill Road

1.4 mi · 3 min · Bunker Hill Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto NC 343

0.6 mi · 1 min · NC Highway 343 South
6

Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Main Street
7

Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
8

Take the ramp onto US 17 BUS

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 17 BUS
9

Turn sharp right onto US 158

30 mi · 34 min · US 158
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 13
11

Turn straight onto US 13; US 158

5.5 mi · 6 min · US 13; US 158
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
13

Turn right onto US 158

25 mi · 35 min · US 158
14

Turn right onto Jackson Bypass Road

11 mi · 18 min · Jackson Bypass Road
15

At end of road, turn right onto US 158

0.5 mi · 45 sec · US 158
16

Turn right onto Old Highway

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Old Highway
17

Turn left

0.8 mi · 1 min
18

At end of road, turn left onto US 301

2.1 mi · 3 min · US 301
19

Turn straight onto Sycamore Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Sycamore Street
20

Turn right onto East 1st Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East 1st Street
21

Turn left onto Elm Street

351 ft · 16 sec · Elm Street
22

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 2nd Street
23

Continue on Julian R Allsbrook Highway

1.9 mi · 3 min · Julian R Allsbrook Highway
24

Turn straight onto US 158

2.9 mi · 3 min · East Littleton Road
25

Continue on US 158

24 mi · 28 min · Julian R Allsbrook Highway
26

Continue on US 158 Bypass

5.1 mi · 5 min · US 158 Bypass
27

Continue on US 158; US 401

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 158; US 401
28

At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 1; US 158
29

Turn right onto Flemingtown Road

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Flemingtown Road
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
31

Merge onto I 85

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 85
32

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

41 mi · 44 min · I 85
Use the none lane.
33

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 15 Business, US 501 Business, NC 55: Downtown Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Continue on I-85 South Access Road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · I-85 South Access Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
35

Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.4 mi · 52 sec · North Roxboro Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36

Continue on US 15 Business; US 50

479 ft · 8 sec · East Markham Avenue
37

Turn slight left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Mangum Street
Use the slight left / slight right / right lanes.
38

Turn left onto East Main Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Main Street
39

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 180.5-mile drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly four-hour duration. Because this is a highway-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion as you approach the Durham area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, keeping that $29 estimate in mind for your total trip budget. Since you only have one recommended stop, use it strategically around the halfway point to reset before tackling the final stretch of I-85. Maintaining a steady speed on the longer 57-mile sections will help you stay on schedule without unnecessary fatigue.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 90.3 miles from Moyock, NC, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 90.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durham, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Moyock, 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 Moyock, NC

This is one driving day of about 180.5 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Moyock, 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 158 for about 57 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 90.3 mi from Moyock, NC · 2h 9m into the drive

Downtown Raleigh, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Raleigh, NC

90 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.

Popular next leg

Raleigh, NC to Durham, NC

28.5 mi · 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Raleigh, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Raleigh, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.3 miles from Moyock, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Durham, NC

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.89 one way

$57.77 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $31.47 $62.95
premium $4.78 $33.95 $67.91
diesel $5.64 $40.10 $80.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.2 0 $18.95 $8.66
Efficient EV 45.1 0 $15.79 $7.22
EV Truck/SUV 72.2 0 $25.27 $11.55

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Moyock, NC

Afternoon in Moyock on Sunday

Local time

3:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Afternoon in Durham on Sunday

Local time

3:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°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

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

3h 58m 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 Moyock, NC to Durham, NC covers 180.5 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 158, I 85, Julian R Allsbrook Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.3 miles from Moyock, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 27 significant decision points across 180.5 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 0.3 miles (South Mills Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (NC 343 / NC Highway 343 South): Navigation decision point; at 126.9 miles (US 1; US 158): Navigation decision point.
The route from Moyock, NC to Durham, NC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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