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Trip from Yadkinville, 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 7m

Distance

105.6 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 2m

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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town in North Carolina, United States

Yadkinville, NC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 105.6-mile journey from Yadkinville, NC, to Durham, NC, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-40 East and I-85 North, with the initial part of your drive on South State Street. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this route offers an economical way to travel between two points within the Southeast region. The drive itself is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive than a straightforward interstate cruise. It's a practical option for a quick visit or transit, with no overnight stays required.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.8 miles from Yadkinville, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 69.4 mi 1h 21m
US 421 18.6 mi 21m
I 85 9.4 mi 10m
Durham Freeway 5.2 mi 6m
South State Street 1.1 mi 2m
South Roxboro Street 0.4 mi <1m
Morehead Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
East Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 69.4 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Main Street

46 ft · 6 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 601

1.1 mi · 2 min · South State Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
4

Merge onto US 421

19 mi · 21 min · US 421
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 238 Toward I 40 East: Greensboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 40

23 mi · 26 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 40; US 29; US 220

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 29; US 220
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck

9.4 mi · 10 min · I 85; NC 86 Truck
Toward I 85 North: Durham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Take the exit

512 ft · 12 sec
Toward Mangum Street, Roxboro Street Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on Morehead Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Morehead Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn left onto US 15 Business; US 501 Business

0.4 mi · 58 sec · South Roxboro Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn left onto East Main Street

100 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

Given this drive is only 1 hour and 42 minutes and covers 105.6 miles, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. Aim to leave Yadkinville mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic if any exists in the area. With a low estimated fuel cost of $17, you likely won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means keeping an eye on your GPS and being ready for those directional changes. Since this is a shorter trip, you can easily complete it without needing to break it up, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination in Durham.

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 52.8 miles from Yadkinville, NC, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.4 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 23 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.8 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m

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 Yadkinville, 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 Yadkinville, NC

This is one driving day of about 105.6 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Yadkinville, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 69.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greensboro, NC

53 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

Greensboro, NC to Durham, NC

53.6 mi · 1h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Winston-Salem, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greensboro, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Yadkinville, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.4 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

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.6

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kernersville, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.7

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

Visit website

West End Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13367234774

Visit website

Kyles Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.7

Kernersville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13364974327

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 105.6

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Given Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 30.2

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+13363317291

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 83

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.9

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 83

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 75.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 83

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 75.4

Haw River, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 75.4

Graham, North Carolina

+13132626722

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 75.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

American Tobacco Campus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.6

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+19194331566

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 75.4

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Adventure Landing Winston-Salem

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 22.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13367684730

Visit website

Gold Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 90.5

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19197321270

Visit website

Museum of Life and Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 105.6

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19192205429

Visit website

Safari Nation Winston-Salem

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 22.6

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13365233355

Visit website

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 75.4

Haw River, North Carolina

+13365706718

Visit website

ICY RICH GIRLS MUSEUM

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 45.3

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13369474244

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 20 and 105 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
20 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 40 East: Greensboro

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 238 Toward I 40 East: Greensboro
8
44.1 mi into trip | ~53m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Greensboro, Martinsville
7
90.4 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 85; NC 86 Truck

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85; NC 86 Truck toward I 85 North: Durham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 85 North: Durham
8
99.8 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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
105 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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

$16.51 one way

$33.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.06 $36.11
premium $4.70 $19.54 $39.09
diesel $5.61 $23.32 $46.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.7 0 $11.09 $5.07
Efficient EV 26.4 0 $9.24 $4.22
EV Truck/SUV 42.2 0 $14.78 $6.76

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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

Yadkinville, NC

Morning in Yadkinville on Sunday

Local time

6:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, NC

Morning in Durham on Sunday

Local time

6:00 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

5 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 7m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 105.6-mile route, meaning you won't spend much time on high-speed highways. The highway share is 0%, so this is about navigating local roads for the entire duration. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and potentially varying speed limits. This type of driving requires a bit more attention and can feel more like exploring than simply covering distance. Be prepared for a more dynamic driving experience as you transition from Yadkinville to Durham.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.4 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 421. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20 miles in.

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 14 significant decision points across 105.6 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (I 85; NC 86 Truck): 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.

Between Yadkinville, NC and Durham, NC, road signs point toward Martinsville, Duke University, Carolina Central University and Research Triangle Park.

Martinsville

44.1 mi in | ~53m | via I 40

Duke University

99.8 mi in | ~1h 59m | via NC 147

Carolina Central University

99.8 mi in | ~1h 59m | via NC 147

Research Triangle Park

99.8 mi in | ~1h 59m | 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 2h 7m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m 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 69.4 miles on I 40. 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (I 85; NC 86 Truck): 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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