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Trip from Durham, NC to King, NC

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

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

92.5 mi

149 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 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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city in Stokes and Forsyth counties, North Carolina, United States

King, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 92.5-mile drive from Durham, NC to King, NC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 53 minutes, making it ideal for a single-day trip. Your estimated fuel cost for this route is around $14, which is quite economical. The primary roads you'll be using include I-85, I-40, and the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, offering a largely uninterrupted travel experience. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this route is well-suited for those looking for an efficient transfer between points within North Carolina's Southeast region. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

46.3 miles from Durham, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 40.6 mi 46m
I 40 20.3 mi 24m
Winston-Salem Northern Beltway 11.1 mi 12m
Salem Parkway 6.5 mi 7m
Durham Freeway 5 mi 6m
John Gold Memorial Expressway 4 mi 4m
NC 74 1.8 mi 2m
South Main Street 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 40.6 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham, NC and King, 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 right at fork onto US 421

6.5 mi · 7 min · Salem Parkway
Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on NC 74

11 mi · 12 min · Winston-Salem Northern Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74

1.8 mi · 2 min · NC 74
Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto US 52

4.0 mi · 4 min · John Gold Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward King, Tobaccoville
15

Turn right onto South Main Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 53-minute drive, departing in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic. With only 92.5 miles and a $14 fuel cost, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. While there are no designated stops included in this route data, you can easily pull over for a quick break on I-85 or I-40 as needed, as the longest stretch is over 40 miles. A practical tip for this route: keep an eye on your GPS for any potential construction delays on the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, as this can sometimes impact travel times.

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 46.3 miles from Durham, NC, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.6 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 20 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46.3 miles or 55m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near King, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Durham, NC

This is one driving day of about 92.5 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Durham, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 40.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

46 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

Mebane, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greensboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.3 miles from Durham, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.7

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.7

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

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

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 26.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 26.4

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 33

Burlington, North Carolina

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 39.7

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 26.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 33

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 26.4

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 33

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

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

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13.2

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 26.4

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 59.5

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 66.1

High Point, North Carolina

+13364545651

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.9

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

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 0.1 and 85 — 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.
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.
8
66.5 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | US 421 / Salem Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 / Salem Parkway toward US 421 North: Kernersville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 206 Toward US 421 North: Kernersville
7
73 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward NC 74 West

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 227 Toward NC 74 West
7
85 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | NC 74

Keep slight left at fork onto NC 74 toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 52 North: Mount Airy

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.46 one way

$28.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.82 $31.63
premium $4.70 $17.12 $34.24
diesel $5.61 $20.42 $40.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.8 0 $9.71 $4.44
Efficient EV 23.1 0 $8.09 $3.70
EV Truck/SUV 37 0 $12.95 $5.92

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Durham, NC

Late night in Durham on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

King, NC

Late night in King on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°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

4 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

1h 53m 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?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 92.5-mile route, with 85% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 40.6 miles on I-85, providing a good opportunity to maintain a steady pace. You'll navigate using I-85, I-40, and the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway, which are all designed for efficient travel. This road profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and directness rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to cover ground quickly and with minimal distractions from local traffic.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.6 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and I 40. 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 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 1h 53m. Total distance: 92.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.6 miles on I 85. 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 King, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 15 Business; US 501 Business / South Mangum Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles (US 421 / Salem Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at King, 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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