Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from City of Hamlet, NC to Durham, NC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

103.8 mi

167 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 58m ★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown City of Hamlet, NC, NC

City of Hamlet, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 103.8-mile journey from the City of Hamlet, NC, to Durham, NC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via US 1 and the Triangle Expressway, with King Street also playing a role. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $16, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s perfectly suited for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward drive through North Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.9 miles from City of Hamlet, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 1 69.8 mi 1h 22m
Triangle Expressway 14.4 mi 15m
King Street 8.7 mi 13m
Durham Freeway 7.2 mi 8m
Marlboro Street 0.5 mi <1m
South Roxboro Street 0.3 mi <1m
Jackie Robinson Drive 0.1 mi <1m
East Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 1 — 69.8 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Hamlet, NC and Durham, NC.

1

Start on Hylan Avenue

81 ft · 8 sec · Hylan Avenue
2

Turn left onto NC 177

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Marlboro Street
3

Continue on NC 177

8.7 mi · 13 min · King Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

33 mi · 41 min · US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 42 sec
6

Merge onto US 1

37 mi · 41 min · US 1
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 93A-B Toward NC 540 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 93B Toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham
9

Merge onto NC 540 Toll

11 mi · 12 min · Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on NC 885 Toll

3.1 mi · 3 min · Triangle Expressway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on I 885

4.6 mi · 5 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

For this manageable 2-hour drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to reach Durham with ample time for the rest of your day. Since there are no designated stops recommended, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along US 1. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 69.8-mile stretch on US 1, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. The $16 fuel cost estimate suggests this trip is quite budget-friendly, so you won’t need to worry too much about frequent gas station visits.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.9 miles from City of Hamlet, NC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.8 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 23 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.9 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 44m

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 City of Hamlet, 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 City of Hamlet, NC

This is one driving day of about 103.8 miles and 2h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from City of Hamlet, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 1 for about 69.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sanford, NC

52 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Aberdeen, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sanford, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.9 miles from City of Hamlet, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 1 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Crossroads Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vass, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.1

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19102454504

Visit website

Crossroads Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.1

Vass, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+19102454504

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 66.7

Moncure, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 29.7

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 29.7

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hamlet, North Carolina

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 29.7

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Rockingham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 29.7

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 51.9

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 103.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Hamlet Depot & Museums

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hamlet, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19105820603

Visit website

The Pint Sized Pasture

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 51.9

Sanford, North Carolina

+19194984466

Visit website

Kiwanis Family Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 51.9

Sanford, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+19197758247

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 103.8

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Game On Escapes & More - Cary

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 81.5

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm

+19194380798

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.2 and 100.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
9.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 1

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
79.6 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 93A-B Toward NC 540 Toll
7
79.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 93B Toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham
7
91.9 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 67 Toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
8
100.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.23 one way

$32.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.75 $35.50
premium $4.70 $19.21 $38.42
diesel $5.61 $22.92 $45.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.1 0 $10.90 $4.98
Efficient EV 26 0 $9.08 $4.15
EV Truck/SUV 41.5 0 $14.53 $6.64

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 16, 2026

Origin

City of Hamlet, NC

Morning in City of Hamlet on Sunday

Local time

9:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Morning in Durham on Sunday

Local time

9:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Sanford, NC

52 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

31 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 6m 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?

With an 88% highway share, this drive is largely characterized by efficient, high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 69.8 miles on US 1, suggesting a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. Expect a highway-focused profile that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B smoothly. While the majority of the drive is on main roads, segments like King Street might offer a brief change of pace before you rejoin the faster routes. Overall, it's a drive that leans heavily into the convenience of modern roadways.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.8 mi on US 1.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Triangle Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.2 miles in near US 1.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 12 significant decision points across 103.8 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 9.2 miles (US 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Durham, NC

Full guide →

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.

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 6m. Total distance: 103.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 69.8 miles on US 1. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles (US 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Durham, NC

Balfour, NC 237.9 mi · 4h 44m Bent Creek, NC 231.5 mi · 4h 31m Dana, NC 230.3 mi · 4h 40m Forest City, NC 203.1 mi · 4h

More from City of Hamlet, NC

Jacksonville, NC 163.8 mi · 3h 28m Winston-Salem, NC 105.7 mi · 2h 5m Raleigh, NC 95.4 mi · 1h 58m Greensboro, NC 88.9 mi · 1h 45m Charlotte, NC 77 mi · 1h 42m Fayetteville, NC 58.2 mi · 1h 23m

More trips to Durham, NC

Chapel Hill, NC 261.6 mi Clyde, NC 247.3 mi Fruitland, NC 229 mi Albemarle, NC 224.9 mi Asheville, NC 224.4 mi Kitty Hawk, NC 223.2 mi
Escape planner: City of Hamlet, NC Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from City of Hamlet, NC or browse trips ending in Durham, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.