Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Kitty Hawk, 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

4h 38m

Distance

223.2 mi

359 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 25m ★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 48m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Kitty Hawk, NC, NC

Kitty Hawk, NC

Chris F

Trip Overview

This 228.7-mile drive from Kitty Hawk, NC, to Durham, NC, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, it's an economical choice for a quick trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, making it a more involved, turn-heavy experience. This route is perfect for those who enjoy a more connected drive, keeping you close to the landscape as you travel from the Southeast region of North Carolina to another part of the same state. Given its manageable duration, it’s well-suited for a straightforward day trip.

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

111.6 miles from Kitty Hawk, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 64 67.3 mi 1h 27m
US 13 58.3 mi 1h 3m
US 64 Bypass 27.8 mi 29m
Washington Baum Bridge 20.7 mi 27m
Northern Wake Expressway 15.4 mi 16m
North Croatan Highway 12.3 mi 20m
Durham Freeway 5.1 mi 6m
T.W. Alexander Drive 4.1 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 64 — 67.3 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kitty Hawk, NC and Durham, NC.

1

Start on Elijah Baum Road

37 ft · 5 sec · Elijah Baum Road
2

Turn right onto West Kitty Hawk Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Kitty Hawk Road
3

Turn right onto US 158

12 mi · 20 min · North Croatan Highway
4

Continue on US 64

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Virginia Dare Trail
5

Continue on US 64

21 mi · 27 min · Washington Baum Bridge
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

67 mi · 1 hr 27 min · US 64
Use the straight lane.
7

Turn left onto US 13; US 17

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 13; US 17
8

Continue on US 13; US 64

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · US 13; US 64
9

Continue on US 64 Bypass

28 mi · 29 min · US 64 Bypass
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road
11

Keep slight right at fork

309 ft · 7 sec
Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road
12

Turn right onto Rolesville Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · Rolesville Road
13

Turn sharp left onto Marks Creek Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Marks Creek Road
14

Turn right onto Horton Road

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Horton Road
15

Turn right onto Buffaloe Road

3.8 mi · 6 min · Buffaloe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 23 sec
17

Merge onto I 540

15 mi · 16 min · Northern Wake Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 70 West: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto US 70

0.9 mi · 1 min · Glenwood Avenue
20

Turn left onto T.W. Alexander Drive

4.1 mi · 5 min · T.W. Alexander Drive
Use the straight lane.
21

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 885 North: Durham Use the right lane.
22

Merge onto I 885

2.5 mi · 2 min · Durham Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

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.
24

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
26

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.3 mi · 48 sec · South Roxboro Street
Use the right lane.
27

Turn left onto East Main Street

100 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
28

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 228.7-mile trip to Durham, NC, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace on the local roads. With a duration of around 3 hours and 45 minutes, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day. Plan for one stop to break up the journey and refuel if necessary, keeping the estimated $37 fuel cost in mind. Since this is a turn-heavy route with no highway miles, pay close attention to your navigation, especially on roads like South Virginia Dare Trail, to ensure you're on track for Durham.

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 111.6 miles from Kitty Hawk, NC, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 49 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.6 miles or 2h 29m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durham, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kitty Hawk, 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 Kitty Hawk, NC

This is one driving day of about 223.2 miles and 4h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Kitty Hawk, 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 US 64 for about 67.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, NC

112 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.

Popular next leg

Washington, NC to Durham, NC

125 mi · 2h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Edenton, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greenville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.6 miles from Kitty Hawk, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 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.

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 207.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

The Piper's Restaurant and Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 207.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19196767413

Visit website

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.3

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.2

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe'

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 175.3

Bunn, North Carolina

+19194963076

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 207.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 159.4

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVGateway Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 159.4

Nashville, North Carolina

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 159.4

Nashville, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12524590092

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 143.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 143.5

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 223.2

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 223.2

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Lake Lynn Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 207.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19199962911

Visit website

Full Throttle Speedway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 15.9

Nags Head, North Carolina

+12524414499

Visit website

Elizabethan Gardens

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 15.9

Manteo, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12524733234

Visit website

Ghost Crab Quest, LLC

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Southern Shores, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18047311353

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 222.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
35.2 mi into trip | ~51m in | US 64

Keep slight left at fork onto US 64

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
188.8 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Rolesville Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 14 Toward Rolesville Road
8
220 mi into trip | ~4h 33m 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
222.6 mi into trip | ~4h 36m 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
222.8 mi into trip | ~4h 37m 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

$34.90 one way

$69.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $38.16 $76.33
premium $4.70 $41.31 $82.62
diesel $5.61 $49.28 $98.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67 0 $23.44 $10.71
Efficient EV 55.8 0 $19.53 $8.93
EV Truck/SUV 89.3 1 $31.25 $14.28

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 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

Kitty Hawk, NC

Night in Kitty Hawk on Saturday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Night in Durham on Saturday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Washington, NC

112 mi in

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

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

4h 38m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial

National Memorial

Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane fli...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 near mile 7.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 228.7-mile journey, as the highway share is 0%. This means you'll be on roads like West Kitty Hawk Road and North Croatan Highway for significant portions, with the exact longest uninterrupted stretch not specified but implied to be limited by the frequent turns. The character of the drive is more about navigating through communities rather than covering long distances on high-speed routes. You'll likely experience a more varied pace, with opportunities to observe the local scenery directly as you make your way across North Carolina.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and US 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.2 miles in near US 64.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 223.2 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 35.2 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Kitty Hawk, NC

Full guide →

Kitty Hawk, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, consists of a thriving village that has been around for generations, a newer beach community of residential cottages, and a maritime forest called Kitty Hawk Woods which features a wide variety of plant and animal life.

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 4h 38m. Total distance: 223.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on US 64. 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 Durham, 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 35.2 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Wright Brothers National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Durham, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Durham, NC

Balfour, NC 237.9 mi · 4h 44m Bent Creek, NC 231.5 mi · 4h 31m Dana, NC 230.3 mi · 4h 40m Forest City, NC 203.1 mi · 4h

More from Kitty Hawk, NC

Maine, NC 323.5 mi · 6h 36m Fayetteville, NC 236 mi · 5h

More trips to Durham, NC

Chapel Hill, NC 261.6 mi Clyde, NC 247.3 mi Fruitland, NC 229 mi Albemarle, NC 224.9 mi Asheville, NC 224.4 mi Nags Head, NC 214 mi
Escape planner: Kitty Hawk, NC Scenic drives in NC

Explore more options from Kitty Hawk, NC or browse trips ending in Durham, NC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.