Origin
Hillsborough, NC
Late night in Hillsborough on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hillsborough, 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
20m
Distance
14.1 mi
23 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillsborough, NC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Hillsborough and Durham, this 14.1-mile trip is an incredibly efficient commute. Expect to spend only 20 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. You will rely primarily on I-85, the Durham Freeway, and US 70 Business to bridge the gap between these two Southeast locations. With a fuel cost of just $2, the trip is as budget-friendly as it is fast. Because the transit time is so brief, there is no need for an overnight split, allowing you maximum flexibility for your destination plans. It is a straightforward, practical connection that prioritizes speed over scenic detours.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Durham Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| US 70 Business | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 86 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Roxboro Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Churton Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Morehead Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 6.2 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsborough, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on West King Street
96 ft
·
8 sec
·
West King Street
2
Turn right onto US 70 Business; NC 86
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Churton Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 70 Business; NC 86
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70 Business; NC 86
4
Turn right onto NC 86
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 86
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
6
Merge onto I 85
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Durham Freeway
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
512 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Morehead Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Morehead Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Main Street
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 13.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street
Turn right onto US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
NC 86 / State Highway 86
Turn right onto NC 86 / State Highway 86
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
NC 147 / Durham Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto NC 147 / Durham Freeway toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NC 147 South: Downtown Durham, Duke Univ...
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.20 one way
$4.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $2.41 | $4.82 |
| premium | $4.70 | $2.61 | $5.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.11 | $6.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.97 | $0.90 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Late night in Durham on Sunday
Local time
2:03 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
6 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
20m 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 route is defined by its efficiency, with 91% of your journey taking place on highways. You will experience a fast-paced environment that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 6.2 miles along I-85, giving you a consistent rhythm before you navigate the transition onto the Durham Freeway and US 70 Business. While you won't encounter the winding curves of a backroad, you will appreciate the predictability of this highway-focused drive. Expect a seamless transition between these two North Carolina hubs as you traverse the interstate infrastructure.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 6.2 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Durham Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 14.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 20m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (NC 86 / State Highway 86): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hillsborough, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.
Duke University
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
Carolina Central University
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
Research Triangle Park
8.2 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NC 147
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 20m. Total distance: 14.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 6.2 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 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: near the start (US 70 Business; NC 86 / South Churton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (NC 86 / State Highway 86): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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