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Trip from Durham, NC to Dana, NC

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

Drive Time

4h 40m

Distance

230.3 mi

371 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 27m ★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 33m

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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Downtown Dana, NC, NC

Dana, NC

C k

Trip Overview

This 230.3-mile journey from Durham, NC, to Dana, NC, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. With 90% of the route on highways, you'll primarily be navigating I-40 and I-85, making for an efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost for this Southeast region drive is around $36. Consider this a practical option if you're looking for a direct route within North Carolina, with one recommended stop along the way. It's a solid choice for a day trip, minimizing time spent on the road and maximizing time at your destination.

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

115.2 miles from Durham, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 154 mi 2h 55m
I 85 40.6 mi 46m
Chimney Rock Road 7 mi 11m
NC 9 6.9 mi 9m
Bat Cave Road 6.7 mi 11m
Durham Freeway 5 mi 6m
Old Fort Road 4.9 mi 6m
Ridge Road 2.9 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 154 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and Dana, 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

134 mi · 2 hr 30 min · I 40
Toward I 40 West: Winston-Salem, Statesville Use the slight left lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward Old Fort
11

Turn left onto Catawba Avenue

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Catawba Avenue
12

Continue on Bat Cave Road

6.7 mi · 11 min · Bat Cave Road
13

Continue on Old Fort Road

3.6 mi · 4 min · Old Fort Road
14

At end of road, turn left onto Old Fort Road

1.3 mi · 1 min · Old Fort Road
15

At end of road, turn left onto NC 9

6.9 mi · 9 min · NC 9
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 74A; NC 9

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Gerton Highway
17

Continue on US 64

7.0 mi · 11 min · Chimney Rock Road
18

Turn left onto Laycock Road

1.2 mi · 4 min · Laycock Road
19

At end of road, turn right onto Ridge Road

2.9 mi · 4 min · Ridge Road
20

Arrive at destination

Ridge Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 40-minute duration, starting your drive from Durham early in the morning is advisable to make the most of your day. With a single recommended stop and a longest stretch of 154 miles on I-40, plan your breaks accordingly to avoid fatigue. The estimated fuel cost of $36 means you should ensure your tank is full before departing, and be mindful of fuel stops, especially during the longer interstate segments. Pay attention to signage as you transition from the interstate onto Chimney Rock Road for the final leg of your journey.

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 115.2 miles from Durham, NC, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154 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 51 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.2 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dana, 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 230.3 miles and 4h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 154 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Granite Falls, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Granite Falls, NC

115 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

Greensboro, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maine, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.2 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154 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 Restaurant

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Taproot Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.1

Hickory, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18064078348

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

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

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 65.8

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 197.4

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 197.4

Old Fort, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 32.9

Burlington, North Carolina

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 32.9

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 32.9

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 197.4

Old Fort, North Carolina

+18668167584

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32.9

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 32.9

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 82.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 82.3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32.9

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 16.5

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

All A Flutter Farms LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 65.8

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Alamance County Historical Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 32.9

Burlington, NC

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13362268254

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

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

$36.01 one way

$72.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $39.38 $78.76
premium $4.70 $42.62 $85.25
diesel $5.61 $50.85 $101.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.1 0 $24.18 $11.05
Efficient EV 57.6 0 $20.15 $9.21
EV Truck/SUV 92.1 1 $32.24 $14.74

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Durham, NC

Late night in Durham on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dana, NC

Late night in Dana on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°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

5 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

4h 40m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 90% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-40 and I-85. This means you'll encounter high-speed travel for most of the 230.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 154 miles on I-40, so settle in for a sustained period of highway driving. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of Chimney Rock Road suggests a transition to a more local road feel as you approach your destination, offering a change of pace after the interstate miles.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 230.3 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.

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 Dana, NC, road signs point toward Statesville and Old Fort.

Statesville

66.5 mi in | ~1h 19m | via I 40

Old Fort

200.2 mi in | ~3h 50m

About the Cities

Starting 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 4h 40m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 154 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Dana, 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Dana, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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