Trip from Southport, NC to Durham, NC

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

185.5 mi

298 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Southport, NC to Durham, NC covers 185.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Michael Jordan Highway, I 40, I 140 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.3 miles on Michael Jordan Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.69 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

92.7 miles from Southport, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Southport, NC to Durham, NC covers 185.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Michael Jordan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

402 ft 17 ft

Total Climb

514 ft

Total Descent

129 ft

Highest Point

402 ft

~185.5 mi in

Elevation Range

386 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.8 miles in near I 140.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 185.5 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 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

8

19.8 mi into trip | ~29m in | I 140

Take the exit onto I 140 toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern

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 39 Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New...

7

177.5 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 279B Toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham

8

182.3 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | NC 147 / Durham Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 9 Toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown

7

184.9 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in

Take the exit toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street

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 Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street

7

185.2 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Roxboro Street

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Roxboro Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Southport, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington and Raleigh.

Jacksonville

19.8 mi in | ~29m | via I 140

New Bern

19.8 mi in | ~29m | via I 140

Wilmington

39.5 mi in | ~51m

Raleigh

39.8 mi in | ~51m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Michael Jordan Highway	103.3 mi	1h 50m
I 40	33.5 mi	38m
I 140	19.7 mi	22m
George II Highway	11.7 mi	16m
Durham Freeway	6.7 mi	8m
Ocean Highway East	3.5 mi	4m
River Road Southeast	3.3 mi	5m
North Howe Street	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Michael Jordan Highway — 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NC 211

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Howe Street

2

Turn straight

381 ft · 13 sec

3

Turn slight right onto NC 87

3.3 mi · 5 min · River Road Southeast

Use the straight / right lanes.

4

Turn straight onto NC 87

12 mi · 16 min · George II Highway

Use the straight lane.

5

Merge onto US 17; NC 87

3.5 mi · 4 min · Ocean Highway East

Use the straight lane.

6

Take the exit onto I 140

20 mi · 22 min · I 140

Exit 39 Toward I 140: Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New Bern Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

8

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 40 West: Benson, Raleigh

9

Merge onto I 40

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Michael Jordan Highway

10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

33 mi · 38 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 44 sec

Exit 279B Toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Merge onto I 885

4.1 mi · 4 min · Durham Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

13

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 147

2.6 mi · 3 min · Durham Freeway

Exit 9 Toward NC 147 North: Durham Downtown Use the slight left lane.

14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

15

Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

16

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.3 mi · 48 sec · South Roxboro Street

Use the right lane.

17

Turn left onto East Main Street

100 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

18

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

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 92.7 miles from Southport, NC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.7 miles or 1h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 53m

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 Southport, 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 Southport, NC

This is one driving day of about 185.5 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Southport, 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 Michael Jordan Highway for about 103.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.7 mi from Southport, NC · 1h 49m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Goldsboro, NC

93 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

Goldsboro, NC to Durham, NC

77.6 mi · 1h 37m

Pacing Suggestions

Goldsboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Goldsboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.7 miles from Southport, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Michael Jordan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.3 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 51.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.69 one way

$59.37 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$32.35	$64.69
premium	$4.78	$34.89	$69.79
diesel	$5.64	$41.21	$82.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.7	$19.48	$8.90
Efficient EV	46.4	$16.23	$7.42
EV Truck/SUV	74.2	$25.97	$11.87

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast data refreshed 18 minutes ago

Origin

Southport, NC

Afternoon in Southport on Sunday

Local time

3:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Sunny

SE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

Destination

Durham, NC

Afternoon in Durham on Sunday

Local time

3:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

S 7 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 12 at 3:43AM EDT until April 12 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

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

9 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 32m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Southport, NC to Durham, NC covers 185.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Michael Jordan Highway, I 40, I 140. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.7 miles from Southport, NC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.69 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 14 significant decision points across 185.5 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 19.8 miles (I 140): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Southport, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Jacksonville, New Bern, Wilmington and Raleigh.

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Return Trip

Durham, NC to Southport, NC

Plan the drive back the other way.

185.1 mi 3h 32m

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Trip from Southport, NC to Durham, NC

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Durham, NC

National Parks Near This Route

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Southport, NC

Durham, NC

Same local time

9 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 32m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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Continue From Durham, NC

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