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Trip from Richlands, 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 35m

Distance

130.5 mi

210 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 25m ★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Richlands, NC, NC

Richlands, NC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 130.5-mile journey from Richlands, NC, to Durham, NC, can be comfortably completed in about 2 hours and 35 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 77% of the drive utilizing major roads. You'll spend an estimated $20 on fuel for this trip. Given the relatively short duration and distance, you won't need to split this drive overnight. It's a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of North Carolina, connecting two points within the same state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

65.2 miles from Richlands, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NC 24 59.8 mi 1h 4m
I 40 33.5 mi 38m
Beulaville Highway 20.8 mi 29m
Durham Freeway 6.7 mi 8m
South Kenansville Bypass 5.8 mi 8m
Richlands Highway 2.2 mi 3m
West Franck Street 0.4 mi <1m
South Roxboro Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: NC 24 — 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Wilmington Street

189 ft · 10 sec · South Wilmington Street
2

Turn right onto West Franck Street

0.4 mi · 57 sec · West Franck Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 258; NC 24

2.2 mi · 3 min · Richlands Highway
4

Continue on US 258; NC 24

21 mi · 29 min · Beulaville Highway
5

Turn left onto NC 24; NC 903

5.8 mi · 8 min · South Kenansville Bypass
6

Take the exit onto NC 24

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · NC 24
Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

33 mi · 38 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 44 sec
Exit 279B Toward I 885 North: Downtown Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 885

4.1 mi · 4 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

For this 2.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Durham and still have most of your day ahead. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $20, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 59.8 miles on NC 24, as services might be less frequent. This is a manageable drive, so you can afford to be spontaneous with your departure time.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.2 miles from Richlands, NC, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 29 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.2 miles or 1h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 6m

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 Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC

This is one driving day of about 130.5 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Richlands, 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 NC 24 for about 59.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dunn, NC

65 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

Dunn, NC to Durham, NC

65.1 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Wallace, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dunn, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.2 miles from Richlands, 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.

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

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.5

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raleigh, North Carolina

1.9 mi

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.5

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 111.9

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+19198599990

Visit website

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 111.9

Cary, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19197814810

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 111.9

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 130.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 102.5

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 130.5

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Lake Johnson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 111.9

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+19199963141

Visit website

Lake Benson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 93.2

Garner, North Carolina

+19197734442

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 121.2

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 102.5

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 29.2 and 130.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
29.2 mi into trip | ~42m in | NC 24

Take the exit onto NC 24

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
122.6 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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
127.3 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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
129.9 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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
130.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m 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

$20.41 one way

$40.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.31 $44.63
premium $4.70 $24.15 $48.31
diesel $5.61 $28.81 $57.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.2 0 $13.70 $6.26
Efficient EV 32.6 0 $11.42 $5.22
EV Truck/SUV 52.2 0 $18.27 $8.35

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Richlands, NC

Late night in Richlands on Sunday

Local time

2:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Late night in Durham on Sunday

Local time

2:00 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

3 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 35m 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 highway-focused drive for most of this route, with 77% of the mileage on major roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 59.8 miles on NC 24, offering a consistent driving experience. While predominantly highway, the route incorporates other main roads like Beulaville Highway, suggesting some variation in the driving environment. This profile suggests a drive that balances efficiency with moments of less intense road conditions.

77% 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: 59.8 mi on NC 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NC 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.2 miles in near NC 24.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 130.5 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 29.2 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 miles (NC 147 / Durham Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 2h 35m. Total distance: 130.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on NC 24. 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. 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 29.2 miles (NC 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.3 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.

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