Origin
Moyock, NC
Afternoon in Moyock on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 58m
Distance
180.5 mi
291 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Mills Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto NC 343 / NC Highway 343 South
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Moyock, NC and Durham, NC.
Start on NC 168
Turn left onto South Mills Road
Continue on Old Swamp Road
Turn right onto Bunker Hill Road
At end of road, turn right onto NC 343
Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street
Take the ramp onto US 17 BUS
Turn sharp right onto US 158
At end of road, turn left onto US 13
Turn straight onto US 13; US 158
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 158
Turn right onto Jackson Bypass Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 158
Turn right onto Old Highway
Turn left
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
Turn straight onto Sycamore Street
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Continue on Julian R Allsbrook Highway
Turn straight onto US 158
Continue on US 158
Continue on US 158 Bypass
Continue on US 158; US 401
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; US 158
Turn right onto Flemingtown Road
Take the exit
Merge onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Take the exit
Continue on I-85 South Access Road
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
Continue on US 15 Business; US 50
Turn slight left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
Turn left onto East Main Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 90.3 miles from Moyock, 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
$28.89 one way
$57.77 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Moyock on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Durham on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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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