Charlotte to Durham NC drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Charlotte to Durham NC drive are Salisbury NC, Greensboro NC and Burlington NC. The distance from Charlotte to Durham NC by car is 143 miles, with a 2h14m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Charlotte and Durham NC
The Charlotte to Durham NC drive connects two of the biggest cities in North Carolina.
Durham NC is a big tech research center, and home to Duke University. The latter is home to the Nasher Museum of Art and the soaring Gothic Duke Chapel.
Nature-lovers can go walking through the Sarah P Duke Gardens and take a tour of the Duke Lemur Center. The biggest crowd-pleaser, however, is the Museum of Life and Science. There are several sections to this, both indoor and outdoor. It’s mainly button-pushing, kid-friendly science indoors and black bears, butterflies and red wolves outside.
The best-rated Durham NC accommodation options are the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club and the Hampton Inn and Suites at the University Medical Center.
Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina. Major attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the thrill-packed Carowinds amusement park and the Billy Graham Library. Another popular option is the Sea Life aquarium.
For top Charlotte activities, try historical city tours by golf cart, Segway tours through the Uptown neighbourhood and after dark ghost tours.
Well-reviewed and central Charlotte accommodation options include the AC by Marriott and the Hyatt House.
Charlotte to Durham NC distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Charlotte to Durham NC is 143 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 14 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-85.
The best stops to add to a Charlotte to Durham NC road trip itinerary are Salisbury NC, Greensboro NC and Burlington NC.
Charlotte to Durham NC drive: Salisbury NC
Salisbury NC punches above its weight. The Hall House Museum shows off an 1820s building originally designed as classrooms, then turned into a sumptuous family home. The Rowan Museum covers regional history. And the NC Transportation Museum offers a train station, roundhouse and plenty of vintage locomotive.
Best stops between Charlotte and Durham NC: Greensboro NC
Greensboro NC has a handful of strong cultural attractions. The first port of call should be the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which houses the original FW Woolworth’s lunch counter. This was where four college freshmen staged a sit-in at the whites-only venue – a key moment of non-violent direct action in the Civil Rights struggle.
There are more backstories at the Greensboro History Museum, and the Guildford Courthouse National Military Park focuses on a Revolutionary War turning point.
For the best Greensboro accommodation deals, search here.
Charlotte to Durham NC road trip attractions: Burlington NC
Burlington City Park offers old-fashioned amusements for kids, such as a miniature train and a handful of rides. The Children’s Museum of Alamance County is a decent bet for learning through play, too.
Elsewhere in Burlington NC, the Textile Heritage Museum by the Haw River shows off a well-preserved 19th century textile mill village.
More Charlotte road trips
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More Durham NC road trips
Durham NC to Asheville | Durham NC to Atlanta | Richmond VA to Durham NC | Durham NC to Washington DC | Durham NC to Wilmington NC | Durham NC to Winston-Salem NC.