Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Lumberton, 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

2h 18m

Distance

119.9 mi

193 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

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
county seat in North Carolina, United States

Lumberton, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lumberton to Durham covers 120.2 miles, a journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel to complete the transit between these two Southeast cities. Navigating this route involves a series of local roads, including North Water Street, Carthage Road, and Capuano Street, rather than major interstates. Keep in mind that this is a turn-heavy drive, so you should be prepared for a more active experience behind the wheel. It is an efficient way to transition from the southeastern part of the state to the central region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

59.9 miles from Lumberton, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 61.5 mi 1h 9m
I 40 47.7 mi 53m
Durham Freeway 6.7 mi 8m
Carthage Road 1.1 mi 1m
North Water Street 0.4 mi <1m
South Roxboro Street 0.3 mi <1m
Jackie Robinson Drive 0.1 mi <1m
Capuano Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 61.5 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Water Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Water Street
2

Enter roundabout onto North Water Street

219 ft · 3 sec · North Water Street
3

Continue on North Water Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Water Street
4

Turn straight onto Carthage Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Carthage Road
5

Turn right onto Capuano Street

152 ft · 6 sec · Capuano Street
6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec
7

Merge onto I 95; US 301

62 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 95; US 301
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 40 West: Raleigh
10

Merge onto I 40

14 mi · 15 min · I 40
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

33 mi · 38 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 44 sec
Exit 279B Toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 885

4.1 mi · 4 min · Durham Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Jackie Robinson Drive
17

Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.3 mi · 48 sec · South Roxboro Street
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto East Main Street

100 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable sub-two-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing to plan for extended rest stops. With no major highway segments to account for, focus on staying alert for the frequent turns required by the local road layout. Budgeting about $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Lumberton to avoid searching for stations on smaller roads. Because the route relies on local streets rather than major highways, check your navigation frequently to stay on track with the specific turn sequence. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Durham with plenty of energy to spare for your destination activities.

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 59.9 miles from Lumberton, NC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 26 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.9 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m

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 Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, NC

This is one driving day of about 119.9 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lumberton, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 61.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Coats, NC

60 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

Fayetteville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dunn, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.9 miles from Lumberton, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 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

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.2

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

2.7 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.8

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 102.8

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

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 119.9

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 25.7

Hope Mills, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 25.7

Hope Mills, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 25.7

Hope Mills, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

+18887518560

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lumberton, North Carolina

+19107398371

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 119.9

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.9

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 94.2

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Lake Benson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 85.6

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 34.3

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19104860221

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 102.8

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Lake Lynn Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 102.8

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19199962911

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 63.2 and 119.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
63.2 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington

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 I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
7
112 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
116.7 mi into trip | ~2h 13m 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
119.3 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 18m 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

$18.75 one way

$37.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.50 $41.00
premium $4.70 $22.19 $44.38
diesel $5.61 $26.47 $52.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36 0 $12.59 $5.76
Efficient EV 30 0 $10.49 $4.80
EV Truck/SUV 48 0 $16.79 $7.67

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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

Lumberton, NC

Late night in Lumberton on Sunday

Local time

12:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Late night in Durham on Sunday

Local time

12:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

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

2h 18m 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 hands-on driving experience as this route consists entirely of local roads with a highway share of 0%. The journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition between North Water Street, Carthage Road, and Capuano Street. You won't find any long, monotonous highway stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on North Water Street. Instead, the road demands constant engagement, making it feel less like a passive interstate cruise and more like a deliberate navigation through local corridors. You will find that the character of the drive remains consistent throughout the 120.2-mile distance, favoring local connectivity over high-speed travel.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 14 significant decision points across 119.9 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 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): 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.

On the drive from Lumberton, NC to Durham, NC, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.

Wilmington

63.2 mi in | ~1h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in Lumberton, NC

Full guide →

Lumberton is a town in North Carolina.

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 2h 18m. Total distance: 119.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on I 95. 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.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 Lumberton, NC

Asheville, NC 250.5 mi · 5h 10m High Point, NC 138.5 mi · 2h 41m City of Greenville, NC 137.8 mi · 2h 43m Huntersville, NC 136 mi · 2h 53m Charlotte, NC 126.3 mi · 2h 38m Jacksonville, NC 108.4 mi · 2h 32m

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 Kitty Hawk, NC 223.2 mi
Escape planner: Lumberton, NC Scenic drives in NC

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NC road trips.