Origin
Four Oaks, NC
Morning in Four Oaks on Sunday
Local time
11:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Four Oaks, 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
1h 10m
Distance
57.1 mi
92 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Four Oaks, NC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between Four Oaks and Durham, this 57.1-mile journey is an efficient way to traverse the Southeast. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. You will navigate primarily via I-40 and the Durham Freeway, keeping the route simple and direct. Since both locations are within North Carolina, you stay within the same region, ensuring a consistent travel experience from start to finish.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 38.9 mi | 43m |
| Durham Freeway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| Lassiter Road | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Black Creek Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| NC 210 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Hatcher Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Baker Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Roxboro Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 38.9 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Four Oaks, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on US 301
328 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Wellons Street
2
Turn right onto North Baker Street
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Baker Street
3
Turn left onto East Hatcher Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hatcher Street
4
Continue on Black Creek Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Black Creek Road
5
Turn left onto Lassiter Road
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Lassiter Road
6
Turn left onto NC 210
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
NC 210
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 40
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
I 40
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
33 mi
·
38 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 279B
Toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 885
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Durham Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive
15
Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto East Main Street
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.5 miles from Four Oaks, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 56.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
49.1 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
8
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
7
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
7
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
$8.93 one way
$17.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.76 | $19.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.57 | $21.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.61 | $25.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.1 | 0 | $6.00 | $2.74 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.00 | $2.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.99 | $3.65 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Durham, NC
Morning in Durham on Sunday
Local time
11:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 10m 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?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.9 miles along I-40. While the transition onto the Durham Freeway marks a shift in the road's personality, the overall experience remains fast-paced and functional. Expect a consistent interstate grind rather than winding backroads, allowing you to maintain a reliable speed. The route is designed for utility, prioritizing a quick arrival over a scenic, meandering path.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Durham Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
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 57.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.9 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
402 ft
198 ft
Total Climb
406 ft
Total Descent
202 ft
Highest Point
402 ft
~57.1 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
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 1h 10m. Total distance: 57.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.9 miles on I 40. 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.
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 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.9 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): 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 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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