Trip from Chadbourn, NC to Durham, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

146.7 mi

236 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 43m ★

6 AM

2h 54m

8 AM

3h 17m

10 AM

3h 2m

12 PM

3h 0m

3 PM

3h 3m

5 PM

3h 15m

8 PM

2h 48m

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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Chadbourn, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 146.7-mile drive from Chadbourn, NC, to Durham, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes. Your journey will primarily follow major highways, with I-95 and I-40 forming the bulk of the route, supplemented by a section of American Indian Highway. With 79% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct and efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost for this Southeast to Southeast journey is around $23, making it a budget-friendly option. This route is ideal for those looking for a straightforward drive without extensive detours.

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

73.3 miles from Chadbourn, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	61.5 mi	1h 9m
I 40	47.7 mi	53m
American Indian Highway	10.7 mi	12m
Andrew Jackson Highway	9.3 mi	10m
Durham Freeway	6.7 mi	8m
Martin Luther King Jr Drive	3.3 mi	6m
Joe Brown Highway North	2 mi	3m
Carthage Road	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 61.5 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West Railroad Avenue

149 ft · 13 sec · West Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto NC 410

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Brown Street

Continue on US 74 Business; US 76 Business; NC 130; NC 410

2.0 mi · 3 min · Joe Brown Highway North

Take the ramp onto US 74 Business; NC 130

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 74 Business; NC 130

Merge onto US 74; NC 130

9.3 mi · 10 min · Andrew Jackson Highway

Continue on US 74; NC 130

11 mi · 12 min · American Indian Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward NC 41: Lumberton, Fairmont

Turn right onto NC 41

3.3 mi · 6 min · Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Continue on Apple Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Apple Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 5th Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West 5th Street

Turn left onto North Water Street

393 ft · 7 sec · North Water Street

Enter roundabout onto North Water Street

219 ft · 3 sec · North Water Street

Continue on North Water Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Water Street

Turn straight onto Carthage Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Carthage Road

Turn right onto Capuano Street

152 ft · 6 sec · Capuano Street

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Merge onto I 95; US 301

62 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 95; US 301

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 40 West: Raleigh

Merge onto I 40

14 mi · 15 min · I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

33 mi · 38 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 44 sec

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

Merge onto I 885

4.1 mi · 4 min · Durham Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

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

Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.3 mi · 48 sec · South Roxboro Street

Use the right 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

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is best undertaken in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave early to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Durham. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 61.5 miles on I-95, you can plan for a brief fuel or rest break midway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between I-95 and I-40; having a full tank before hitting the longer interstate segments is always a good idea.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 73.3 miles from Chadbourn, NC, or about 1h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 32 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m

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 Chadbourn, 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 Chadbourn, NC

This is one driving day of about 146.7 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Chadbourn, 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 I 95 for about 61.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dunn, NC

73 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

Dunn, NC to Durham, NC

65.1 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Lumberton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dunn, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.3 miles from Chadbourn, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 25min to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cary, North Carolina

2.2 mi

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Evergreen, North Carolina

+18887584389

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 90 and 146.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

90 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

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 I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

138.7 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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

143.5 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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

146.1 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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

146.3 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.94 one way

$45.88 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$25.08	$50.17
premium	$4.70	$27.15	$54.30
diesel	$5.61	$32.39	$64.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44	$15.40	$7.04
Efficient EV	36.7	$12.84	$5.87
EV Truck/SUV	58.7	$20.54	$9.39

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Chadbourn, NC

Morning in Chadbourn on Tuesday

Local time

9:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Morning in Durham on Tuesday

Local time

9:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°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

19 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

2h 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 79% of the 146.7 miles spent on interstates. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch at 61.5 miles on I-95, offering a good period of consistent travel. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of American Indian Highway suggests a brief transition to a more local road feel before rejoining the faster routes. This mix means you'll likely encounter varying traffic patterns and speeds throughout the 2-hour and 54-minute journey.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 90 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 146.7 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 90 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Chadbourn, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Fairmont and Wilmington.

Fairmont

23 mi in | ~27m

Wilmington

90 mi in | ~1h 48m

About the Cities

Arriving in Durham, NC

Full guide →

Founded 1869

Of the three cities that make up North Carolina's Research Triangle, Durham has traditionally been the one with the grittier, more working-class image. A city of just over 300,000 residents in 2026, Durham has moved beyond a "tobacco town" with a prestigious university at its center to become a regionally and nationally recognized symbol of urban renewal, gentrification, technology and diversity. Durham's vibrant African-American community was historically pioneering in United States Black culture, from the arts to finance. These days, the tobacco warehouses and textile mills have been converted to other uses, as Durham has taken on a much more high-profile (and expensive) identity. Thanks to local anchor Duke University, a thriving, research-driven medical and tech industry has taken root.

Top landmarks

• Bennett Place State Historic Site — historic site in Durham North Carolina, United States
• City Garage Yard and Fire Drill Tower — fire drill tower
• American Tobacco Trail — Rails-to-Trails project located in North Carolina

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 146.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Durham, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Durham, NC before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Chadbourn, NC to Durham, NC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

Sosta Cafe

Triangle Coffee House

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Circle K Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

American Tobacco Campus

Lake Johnson Park

Museum of Life and Science

Lake Crabtree County Park

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

Lake Benson Park

Nature Research Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chadbourn, NC

Durham, NC

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 54m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Durham, NC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Durham, NC

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