Road-Tripping from Alexandria, VA to Durham, NC: What's the Drive Time?

Planning a road trip from Alexandria, Virginia to Durham, North Carolina? Then, you must make a few decisions before hitting the road! The distance from Alexandria to Durham is over 250 miles, and it's imperative to know the best and fastest driving routes. Don't worry! We've done the research and have got you covered.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

If you're looking for the quickest way to get from Alexandria to Durham, then the I-95 S route is your best bet. It's approximately 240 miles long and takes around 4h 10m in low traffic. On the flip side, the slowest route is via US-15 S/US-501 S. With this route, you're looking at driving over 260 miles, taking around 5h 30m in low traffic. These two routes take you through different scenery, though. The I-95 S route is perfect if you love the vibrant city life, while the US-15 S/US-501 S route takes you through the charming southern countryside.

Distance and Time Based on Traffic Patterns

Traffic patterns can significantly affect the duration of your drive time. Rush hours, construction delays, or just an increase of visitors to the area can make a seemingly fast route so much slower. For the faster I-95 S route, expect to spend about 5h - 6h during peak traffic periods and 4h or less with low traffic. Compared to the US-15 S/US-501 S route, low traffic will take almost 6 hours to drive but can take up to 8 hours if there's any traffic during the peak periods.

Different Drive Times for Different Routes

The I-95 S route takes you through Richmond, Rocky Mount, and Fayetteville, among other popular destinations, while US-15 S/US-501 S takes you through Warrenton, Oxford, and other small towns. If you're looking for a bit of variety and don't mind the extra driving time, then you could take one route to Durham and the other back home.

In summary, the I-95 S route is the fastest, at about 240 miles, taking 4 hours, with low traffic. In contrast, the US-15 S/US-501 S route is the slowest, covering 260 miles and taking up to 5 hours in low traffic. Traffic congestion and accidents can significantly add to the travel time for both routes. Finally, both routes have something special to offer, so choose depending on your preference and enjoy the ride!