Durham to Andrews is 317 miles and takes about 6h 19m via I-40 and I-85, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive. It's a solid option if you need to get from one side of the state to the other efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.5 miles from Durham, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
198.8 mi
3h 50m
I 85
40.6 mi
46m
US 74
22 mi
29m
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
21.9 mi
26m
US 19
16.8 mi
22m
Appalachian Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Durham Freeway
5 mi
6m
West Highway 19
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 198.8 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Andrews, NC.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Mangum Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto Jackie Robinson Drive
214 ft·7 sec·Jackie Robinson Drive
4
Take the ramp
505 ft·12 sec
5
Merge onto NC 147
5.0 mi·6 min·Durham Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 85; US 70
41 mi·46 min·I 85; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
7.7 mi·9 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
13 mi·15 min·I 40; US 220
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
153 mi·2 hr 54 min·I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, StatesvilleUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
25 mi·31 min·I 40
11
Take the exit onto US 74; US 64 Truck
22 mi·29 min·US 74; US 64 Truck
Toward US 74 West: Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 74; US 64 Truck
22 mi·26 min·Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
13
Continue on US 19; US 74
5.3 mi·6 min·Appalachian Highway
14
Continue on US 19; US 74
4.0 mi·4 min·West Highway 19
15
Turn right onto US 19; US 74
17 mi·22 min·US 19; US 74
16
Take the exit onto US 19 Business
1.2 mi·2 min·Business 19
Toward Andrews
17
Continue on US 19 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
18
Turn right onto Cherry Street
72 ft·3 sec·Cherry Street
19
Arrive at destination
Cherry Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Durham in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Andrews with plenty of daylight left. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further west on US-74, as services might become less frequent than on the interstates. The $49 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.5 miles from Durham, NC, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 70 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Andrews, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Durham, 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 Durham, NC
This is one driving day of about 317 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Durham, 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 40 for about 198.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 0.1 and 66.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Merge onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
46.2 mi into trip|~55m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 40; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 220
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
66.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.80 one way
$93.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$51.43
$102.86
premium
$4.49
$56.06
$112.12
diesel
$4.80
$59.86
$119.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.1
1
$33.29
$15.22
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
EV Truck/SUV
126.8
1
$44.38
$20.29
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Durham, NC
Night
in Durham on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
100°F
Haze
E 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Destination
Andrews, NC
Night
in Andrews on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:40PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh 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
13 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
6h 19m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 284.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 98% highway, so you'll be on interstates for almost the entire 317 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 198.8 miles on I-40. You'll transition from I-85 to I-40 and finally to US-74, which will likely feel like more of a surface road as you get closer to Andrews. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic for much of the route.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 317 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 0.1 miles (US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,632 ft402 ft
Total Climb
2,711 ft
Total Descent
1,335 ft
Highest Point
2,632 ft
~249 mi in
Elevation Range
2,230 ft
Notable High Points
2,632 ft at ~249 miles+555 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Durham, NC and Andrews, NC, road signs point toward Statesville, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy and Atlanta.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 317 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Andrews, 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Andrews, NC before the return drive.
