Origin
Pinebluff, NC
Afternoon in Pinebluff on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pinebluff, NC to Durham, NC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
82 mi
132 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pinebluff, NC
R9 Media Photo Collective
Trip Overview
Pinebluff, NC to Durham, NC is 82 miles and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes via US 1 and Triangle Expressway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within North Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward journey that should feel quite manageable for a single day trip. It's a practical route for getting between these two points without much fuss. The relatively short distance and duration mean you won't need to worry about extensive planning or overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41 miles from Pinebluff, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 36.5 mi | 41m |
| North Walnut Street | 20.7 mi | 26m |
| Triangle Expressway | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| Durham Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| South Roxboro Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jackie Robinson Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 36.5 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinebluff, NC and Durham, NC.
1
Start on US 1
21 mi
·
26 min
·
North Walnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
3
Merge onto US 1
37 mi
·
41 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 93A-B
Toward NC 540 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 93B
Toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham
6
Merge onto NC 540 Toll
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Triangle Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on NC 885 Toll
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Triangle Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 885
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Durham Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Jackie Robinson Drive, Roxboro Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Jackie Robinson Drive
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jackie Robinson Drive
13
Turn right onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Roxboro Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto East Main Street
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under 2 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave whenever it's convenient, perhaps mid-morning to avoid early rush hour. There are no specific stops recommended in the data, so you can decide on breaks based on your own needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13, and it’s always wise to top off before heading out. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the Triangle Expressway is a toll road, so have your payment method ready.
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 41 miles from Pinebluff, NC, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.5 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 49m 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 22m
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 Pinebluff, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pinebluff, NC
This is one driving day of about 82 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Pinebluff, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 1 for about 36.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41 miles from Pinebluff, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 57.8 and 81.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward NC 540 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 93A-B
Toward NC 540 Toll
7
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 93B
Toward NC 540 Toll North: RDU Airport, Durham
7
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward NC 885 Toll North: Durham
8
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
81.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.82 one way
$25.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.02 | $28.04 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.18 | $30.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.10 | $36.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Durham, NC
Afternoon in Durham on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Sanford, NC
41 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
21 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 38m 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 predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 71% of it utilizing faster roads. You'll encounter stretches on US 1, North Walnut Street, and the Triangle Expressway, indicating a mix of highway and some arterial city roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 36.5 miles on US 1, offering a good period of consistent driving. As you progress, the road character will likely shift from more open highway driving to potentially more urban or suburban environments as you approach Durham.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.5 mi on US 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and North Walnut Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.8 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 82 miles you will encounter 10 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 57.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Durham, NC
Full guide →Founded 1869
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.
Top landmarks
- • Bennett Place State Historic Site — historic site in Durham North Carolina, United States
- • City Garage Yard and Fire Drill Tower — fire drill tower
- • American Tobacco Trail — Rails-to-Trails project located in North Carolina
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 38m. Total distance: 82 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.5 miles on US 1. 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 57.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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